Debt collection answer

You will find out that the creditor is suing you when the court sends you a “summons and complaint." This is a letter that tells you that you are being sued. It also includes who is suing you, the reason they are suing you and what they want. You must respond to the summons by filing an answer within 28 days.

Learn more about debt collection lawsuits in Ohio.  

You can use the template on this page to create your answer. It can be hard to work through this without a lawyer. If you can, try to find a lawyer to help you.

You will need to respond to each numbered paragraph of the complaint. Review each paragraph carefully and then follow the simple rules below: 

  • Admit if you agree with every part of paragraph. 
  • Deny if you disagree with any part of a paragraph. 
  • Respond I don’t have enough information to answer if you don’t know whether that paragraph is true.

Don’t guess, it’s ok not to know or to deny. 

This is a template for use statewide in Ohio. If you are being sued in Franklin County Municipal Court, you can use the Franklin County Municipal Court Form Assistant instead of this template.

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Before You Get Started

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You will need to respond to each numbered paragraph of the complaint. Review each paragraph carefully and then follow the simple rules below: 

  • Admit if you agree with every part of paragraph. 
  • Deny if you disagree with any part of a paragraph. 
  • Respond I don’t have enough information to answer if you don’t know whether that paragraph is true.

Don’t guess, it’s ok not to know or to deny. 

After You Finish

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After you complete the form:  

  • Make photocopies of your answer.
  • File the answer with your clerk of courts’ office. The summons will have the address and contact information for the clerk of court's office.
  • Mail a copy of your answer on the plaintiff's attorney. You can find name and address for the plaintiff's attorney on the summons. The summons will say "the name and address of the plaintiff's attorney is." 
  • Mail a copy of your answer on the other parties named on the complaint. The complaint on the first page will list the name and addresses of every party to the case.   

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