Are you being evicted from your home? Or sued for a debt? To get your best outcome, don’t wait! Get information now and answer the lawsuit before the deadline. The VTLawHelp.org website can tell you how to answer lawsuits.
Answering an eviction
If you get court documents called a Summons and Complaint, you don’t have to move out right away, but you do need to take action to protect your rights.
Generally, you have to give the court a written Answer within 21 days of getting the Summons and Complaint. If you have a low income, contact Legal Services Vermont right away for advice or referral to a lawyer. Also visit VTLawHelp.org to see the steps to take for your eviction Answer.
If you don’t file your Answer by your deadline, the court could rule against you without hearing your side of the story or any defenses you may have. People who wait – or do nothing – usually end up with few options.
Answering when you’ve been sued for a debt
If you get sued for a debt, you don’t have to pay right away and you won’t be arrested for not paying, but you do need to take action for the best outcome.
If you don’t send in an Answer, the court will probably make a judgement against you without hearing your side of the story; without hearing any defenses you may have; and without knowing about your financial situation.
If you get a Summons and Complaint from Small Claims Court, you need to create an Answer and file it with the court within 30 days. Legal Services Vermont created a free tool to help you make your Answer.
If you get a Summons and Complaint from Superior Court (often for a larger debt), you need to create an Answer and file it with the court within 21 days. If you have a low income, Legal Services Vermont may be able to give you free advice on this.
It’s important to know:
- if you get public assistance, you may not have to pay back the debt for as long as you get public assistance;
- certain assets (things you own) cannot be taken to pay the debt;
- but you do have to Answer the lawsuit and describe your financial situation!
Don’t “wait and see”
The bottom line is this: Every day counts when you get court papers for a debt or eviction. Don’t delay. You will have more options when you send in an Answer to the court before the deadline listed on the court papers.
