How to Respond to a Civil Complaint

Answer all parts of the civil complaint document.

When a civil complaint is delivered to a person, there are certain steps he must take in responding to it. Most of the time you have 21 days to answer to the complaint. You may have significantly fewer days to answer if the complaint has to do with rental property, possibly around five days. However, the summons may state that you have more or fewer days to answer to the summons. You must answer to the complaint within that time or further action will be taken.

Instructions

1. Review the complaint to find out what you are being accused of and what action is being taken against you.

2. Determine whether you are guilty or not guilty.

3. Respond to the complaint. If there are multiple things that you are being accused of, make sure you respond to each accusation.

4. Write any additional comments that you would like the judge or court system to know.

5. Check to be sure that you filled in all the blanks of the documents. For example, there will be a section that asks you to fill in the names of all parties.

6. Attach any important documents pertaining to the complaint. Make sure you fill in the section pertaining to attachments on the form. Also, don't attach the original copy of the document.

7. Sign and date the form.

8. Make three copies of the form and attached documents. The original copy goes to the clerk of the court. One of the copies goes to the plaintiff's attorney and the other should be kept for your records.

9. Determine how you are going to deliver the answer to your summons.

10. Decide whether or not you are going to hire an attorney.

References

• Michigan Courts: General Information About Responding to a Civil Complaint
• Florida Court Forms: Answer to Civil Summons
• Cornell University Law School: Federal Rules of Civil Procedure