1. Step 1: Tell us about your case by answering a few questions about your situation.
2. Step 2: We will prepare a formal response (or “Answer”) to your summons.
3. Step 3: Learn how to file by visiting the Courts tab to find filing instructions for your local court.
4. Step 4: YOU must file your “Answer” by submitting your response to the court, following the instructions you found.
5. Step 5: Attend your court date. Showing up is crucial and missing your court date could result in a default judgement.

A response to a summons—also called an "Answer"—is your official reply to a lawsuit filed against you, usually by a creditor or debt collector. Filing a response tells the court your side of the story and prevents the other party from automatically winning by default. In your Answer, you can admit, deny, or say you don't know enough to respond to each claim made against you.

We guide you through a few simple questions about your case and then help you draft your official response (called an “Answer”) to the court summons you received. Once your response is ready, you can choose to file it yourself, use it as a reference when talking to an attorney, or connect with a local attorney to represent you.

Just create a free account and answer a few simple questions about your case — that’s it! We will guide you from there.

After you create your response (also called an “Answer”), you must file it with the court by the deadline listed in your summons. Check out the Courts tab to identify the specific court information and its filing instructions or check your summons for filing instructions. You’ll also need to send a copy of your response to the plaintiff or their attorney (the person suing you); this step is called “Serving your Answer”. Be sure to keep a copy of everything for your own records. It’s very important that you complete these steps correctly and on time - if you don’t, the court may rule against you automatically.

A court summons is an official notice from the court letting you know that someone (usually a creditor or debt collector) is suing you. It’s often delivered along with a document called a “complaint,” which explains why you're being sued and how much the other party claims you owe. The summons tells you how many days you have to respond—this deadline is important. If you ignore the summons or miss the deadline, the court may automatically rule against you, which can lead to wage garnishment or other consequences.

Yes - responding to your summons is very important. If you don’t file a response by the deadline, the court can enter a default judgment against you. That means the person or company suing you could automatically win the case, possibly leading to wage garnishment, bank levies, or other legal actions. Responding gives you a chance to share your side of the story and protect your rights, even if you think you owe the debt.

The amount of time you have to respond to a court summons depends on your state—but it’s usually between 14 and 30 days from the date you were served. Your deadline should be listed on the summons itself. It's crucial to act quickly. If you miss the deadline, the court may enter a default judgment against you, meaning the other party could automatically win the case.

Yes - creating an account lets you save your progress, view past responses, and return to any response you’ve started but haven’t finished. All you need is your email address and a password you choose.

StopSuit is completely free to use. We help you draft your response to a court summons at no cost. Once your response is ready, you’re responsible for filing it with the court and sending a copy to the plaintiff or their attorney.