How to Compose a Legal Response to a Summons

A defendant must respond to a summons by writing a legal response.

A court issues you a summons to notify you that someone is suing you. The summons lists the name of the plaintiff, the court location and the details of the complaint. You, or your lawyer, are then required to write a legal response to the court regarding the issue of the summons. Most courts allow 20 to 30 days for the defendant to write the response and mail it to the court. If the court does not receive the letter in the allotted time frame, the plaintiff automatically wins the case.

Instructions

1. Write a caption. A legal response to a summons must include a caption at the top that states your name and address. It must also state the names and addresses of the plaintiff and the court handling the case. Include the court filing number as well, which allows the court to easily reference the letter.

2. Respond to all complaints listed on the summons. A summons contains a list of complaints filed by the plaintiff. When writing a legal response, you must answer each complaint individually by using a bulleted list or individual paragraphs with either the word "Admit" or "Deny." After you write the appropriate word, include a brief summary of why you are responding this way.

3. Add more items. If there are other details that relate to your defense, include them as additional paragraphs or bulleted items. This includes any facts that explain aspects of the case not already discussed that you would like the court to consider when reviewing the case.

4. Sign the letter. To ensure the legality of the document, it is a good idea to have the letter notarized through a notary public. This is not required by law; however, it does help prove the validity of the contents of the letter. It also proves that you are serious about resolving the matter.

5. Photocopy the letter. Keep the copy of the letter for yourself and send the original document to the courthouse. You can either mail or hand-deliver the letter, but be sure the court receives it by the due date.

References

• US Legal: How do you File a Written Response to a Summons?
• Michigan Legal Aid: Responding to Summons and Complaints in Consumer Cases