[00:00:01 A woman sits in an office, facing the camera, and she speaks.]
Are you being sued for a debt? To get your best outcome, don’t wait – take action quickly!
I’m Rachel, a staff attorney with Legal Services Vermont. 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 for Small Claims Court. Find it on the VTLawHelp.org website.
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. We also share information on the VTLawHelp.org website.
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; and
- 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 delay. Send in an Answer to the court before the deadline listed on the court papers. That way, you will have more options available to you.
[00:01:46 Visual: An end-screen says: Find help and free tools in the debt section of VTLawHelp.org. Legal Services Vermont. Screenshot of the debt section of the website.]
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