Has someone sued you in small claims court? If so, you need to create an Answer and file it with the court within 30 days.

If you want to sue the person who is suing you, you can fill out the “counterclaim” part of the form, as well.

• Get the Small Claims Answer form
• If applicable, get the Disclosure of Exempt Income form
• If applicable, get the Financial Disclosure Affidavit form

Information Checklist

Before you start, you will need:

• the small claims Complaint
• information about your income and expenses

If you want to sue the person who is suing you (that is, you want to file a counterclaim), you will also need information about your claim against them.

Court Fee: If you are filing a counterclaim, there will be a fee to file your case with the court. If you cannot afford this fee, bring this form with you to the court house. The court clerk may be able to waive the fee for you so you can file your court documents at no charge.

Small claims court is designed for people who are representing themselves. You can hire a lawyer if you want to, but you are not required to hire a lawyer. If you decide to represent yourself in small claims court, you can get more information about what you will need to do and how small claims court works by reading:

• our Small Claims Court page
• our Court Process: Small Claims Court page
• the Vermont Judiciary’s small claims page
• the Vermont Judiciary’s court fees page (note that you can file a fee waiver request form if you can’t afford to pay the court fees)

Have questions?

See our Court Process: Small Claims Court page. Also, Legal Services Vermont may be able to give you advice about responding to a small claims lawsuit. Contact us.