How To Answer a Debt Collection Summons in Ohio (2025)

A debt collector can sue you in Ohio if you haven't paid your debt. When they do, you'll receive a summons and complaint. These documents tell you who's suing you and where your case is being heard.

You must respond by the deadline. If you don't, you'll likely lose the case automatically. Responding means filling out an answer form and certificate of service. You'll file both with the court and send a copy to the opposing party.

The court will then provide next steps. You may face a hearing, arbitration, or mediation.

How Debt Collection Lawsuits Work in Ohio

Debt collectors often sue after repeated failed collection attempts. If they win, they can access your money through wage garnishment or bank levies. They might also place a lien on your property.

Responding to the lawsuit is critical. Ignoring it guarantees the debt collector wins by default. Our partner Solo has helped over 300,000 people respond to debt lawsuits and settle for less.

Which Court Handles Your Case?

Debt collection cases are civil matters. You won't face criminal charges for unpaid debt. Most Ohio debt cases are heard in municipal or county court.

Cases involving $6,000 or less go to small claims court. Small claims is less formal with simpler rules. Cases between $6,000 and $15,000 go to county or municipal civil court.

You'll know you're being sued when you receive formal notice. A process server may deliver it in person. More commonly, it arrives by mail. The notice includes a summons and complaint.

Understanding Your Summons and Complaint

The summons is formal notice of the lawsuit. It tells you who's suing you and their address. Most debt collectors hire an attorney to represent them.

The summons also lists the courthouse location and your response deadline. You typically have 28 days to respond.

The complaint accompanies the summons. It lists the debt collector's claims in numbered paragraphs. It states how much money they say you owe.

The complaint often requests a money judgment. A money judgment is a binding court order. It may include the debt amount plus court fees, legal fees, and additional interest.

Keep these documents. You'll need the contact information when you respond.

How To Answer Your Ohio Court Summons

Answering your summons involves filling out forms and delivering them properly. The process is straightforward if you follow these steps.

File Your Answer Within 28 Days

You must file an answer within 28 days of receiving the summons. This deadline is firm. Missing it results in a default judgment against you.

Your answer is a formal written response to each claim in the complaint. You'll respond to each numbered paragraph by admitting, denying, or stating you lack sufficient information to answer.

If you're unsure whether a claim is accurate, say you lack knowledge. This puts the burden on the debt collector to prove their case.

Download the Correct Forms

Ohio courts provide standardized forms. Visit your local court's website or go in person to get the right ones. You'll need:

• Answer form (responds to the complaint)
• Certificate of service (proves you sent a copy to the other party)
• Any applicable affirmative defense forms

Some counties offer fillable PDFs. Others require handwritten forms. Check your court's specific requirements.

Complete Your Answer Form

The answer form has spaces for case information at the top. Fill in your name, the plaintiff's name, and the case number exactly as they appear on the summons.

Then respond to each numbered paragraph in the complaint. Use these responses:

• Admit if the statement is completely true
• Deny if the statement is false or partially false
• Deny due to lack of knowledge if you genuinely don't know

Deny any claims about owing a specific amount unless you're certain it's accurate. Debt collectors frequently inflate balances with fees and interest.

Include Affirmative Defenses

Affirmative defenses are legal reasons the court should rule in your favor. Common defenses in Ohio debt cases include:

• Statute of limitations: The debt is too old to sue on (typically 6 years for written contracts, 4 years for oral agreements)
• Lack of standing: The plaintiff doesn't own the debt or can't prove they do
• Payment: You already paid the debt
• Identity theft: The debt isn't yours
• Violation of consumer protection laws: The collector broke FDCPA rules

List any defenses that apply. You don't need to prove them in your answer. You just need to raise them.

File With the Court

Once your answer is complete, file it with the court clerk. You can do this in person, by mail, or online if your court offers e-filing.

Bring or send:

• Your completed answer
• Certificate of service
• Filing fee (typically $50-$100, though fee waivers are available if you can't afford it)
• Three copies of each document (one for the court, one for you, one for the plaintiff)

The clerk will stamp your documents with the filing date. Keep the stamped copy for your records.

Serve the Plaintiff

You must send a copy of your filed answer to the plaintiff's attorney. Their address is on the summons. Send it by certified mail with return receipt requested.

This proves you delivered the document. The certificate of service records this step. You'll file it with the court after mailing your answer.

What Happens After You File Your Answer

Filing your answer keeps you in the case. The court will schedule next steps based on the amount claimed and court procedures.

Discovery

The plaintiff may request documents or send you written questions (interrogatories). You must respond within the deadline. These requests help both sides prepare for trial.

You can also request documents from the plaintiff. Ask for proof they own the debt, the original signed contract, and a detailed account statement. Many debt buyers can't produce these documents.

Settlement Negotiations

Most debt cases settle before trial. The plaintiff may offer to accept less than the full amount. If you can pay a lump sum, you often get a better deal.

Get any settlement in writing. Make sure it states the agreed amount, payment terms, and that paying this amount resolves the debt completely.

Trial

If you don't settle, your case goes to trial. Trials in small claims court are informal. You present your side, the plaintiff presents theirs, and the judge decides.

Bring all relevant documents: account statements, payment records, correspondence with the collector. Organize them chronologically.

If the plaintiff's attorney doesn't show up or can't prove the debt, you may win by default.

Your Rights Under Ohio and Federal Law

You have specific protections when dealing with debt collectors and debt lawsuits.

Statute of Limitations

In Ohio, the statute of limitations for most debts is:

• Written contracts: 8 years (15 years if under seal)
• Oral contracts: 6 years
• Credit card debt: 6 years

Once the statute expires, collectors can't sue you. But the debt doesn't disappear. They can still contact you and request payment.

If a collector sues you on a time-barred debt, raise the statute of limitations as an affirmative defense in your answer.

Debt Collection Harassment

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) prohibits abusive collection tactics. Debt collectors cannot:

• Call before 8 a.m. Or after 9 p.m.
• Contact you at work if you tell them not to
• Threaten violence or criminal prosecution
• Use obscene language
• Falsely claim to be attorneys or government officials
• Discuss your debt with third parties (except your attorney or credit bureaus)

If a collector violates the FDCPA, you can sue them. You may recover damages plus attorney fees. Document every violation with dates, times, and details.

Wage Garnishment Limits

If the debt collector wins a judgment, they can garnish your wages. Ohio law limits garnishment to the lesser of:

• 25% of your disposable earnings, or
• The amount by which your weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage

Certain income is exempt from garnishment entirely: Social Security, disability benefits, unemployment, child support, and veterans' benefits.

If the garnishment would cause financial hardship, you can file a motion to reduce or eliminate it. The court considers your income, expenses, and dependents.

When Bankruptcy Makes More Sense

If you're facing multiple lawsuits or judgments, bankruptcy might be a better option than fighting each case individually.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy eliminates most unsecured debts, including credit card debt, medical bills, and personal loans. The moment you file, an automatic stay stops all collection activity, including lawsuits and garnishments.

Most Chapter 7 cases are "no-asset" cases. This means you keep your property and get a discharge in about 4 months. The entire process costs $338 in filing fees, or you can file for free using Talk About Debt's online filing tool.

Chapter 7 makes sense if:

• You owe more than $10,000 in unsecured debt
• You have little or no income to repay debts
• Debt collectors are threatening garnishment or bank levies
• You've been sued or expect to be sued soon

Check if you qualify for Chapter 7 in about two minutes. The screener asks basic questions about your income, expenses, and debts. If you qualify, you can start filing immediately.

Free Legal Help in Ohio

If you need help responding to your summons or understanding your options, free legal aid is available.

Ohio Legal Help: Provides self-help resources and connects you to local legal aid based on your county. Visit ohiolegalhelp.org or call 1-866-529-6446.

Legal Aid Society of Columbus: Serves central Ohio residents. Offers advice clinics and representation for qualifying cases. Call 614-241-2001.

Legal Aid Society of Cleveland: Serves northeast Ohio. Provides consumer law help including debt defense. Call 216-687-1900.

Your Local Law School Clinic: Ohio State, University of Cincinnati, and Cleveland State all have law clinics that help with consumer cases. Contact the clinic directly to see if you qualify.

Most legal aid organizations serve clients below 125% of the federal poverty line. Some have higher income limits for specific programs.

The Bottom Line

You have 28 days to answer a debt collection summons in Ohio. File your answer, serve the plaintiff, and show up to court. Don't ignore the lawsuit. A default judgment gives the collector access to your wages and bank accounts. If the debt is overwhelming, bankruptcy may eliminate it entirely. Start your free Chapter 7 filing here.

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney or financial advisor for guidance on your specific situation.