How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Nevada (2025)
Nevada gives you 20 days to respond to a debt collection lawsuit. File an Answer using Nevada court forms, deny claims, assert affirmative defenses like statute of limitations, and serve the plaintiff to avoid default judgment. Free forms and legal aid are available, and settlement remains possible even after being sued.
Answer Your SummonsYou’ve been sued for debt in Nevada. You’re already struggling to pay bills and make ends meet. Now you face a lawsuit, and hiring an attorney feels impossible. Ignoring the lawsuit might seem easier, but that’s the worst choice you can make.
You have options. You can respond to a Nevada debt lawsuit on your own. The process is manageable when you understand the steps and deadlines. Nevada provides forms and clear procedures to help you fight back.
Don't Let Nevada's 20-Day Deadline Pass
Miss the deadline and face automatic wage garnishment. Our partner Solo helps you draft and file your Nevada Answer in minutes, with proper formatting and all necessary defenses included.
Respond to Your LawsuitOur partner Solo can help you draft and file an Answer to your Nevada debt lawsuit in minutes.
You Have 20 Days to Respond in Nevada
Nevada law gives you 20 days to respond to a debt lawsuit. Rule 12 of Nevada Justice Court’s Rules of Civil Procedure sets this deadline. The clock starts when you receive the Summons and Complaint.
Missing this deadline triggers a default judgment. The court finds you responsible for the debt without hearing your side. The creditor gets a court order to garnish your wages. Money comes out of your paycheck before you see it.
Default judgments put you in a worse financial position. You lose the chance to contest the debt amount or even whether you owe it. Responding before the deadline protects you from this outcome.
Note: Nevada Supreme Court cases have a 21-day deadline. Most debt lawsuits fall under Justice Courts or District Courts, so 20 days applies to you.
Nevada Provides Answer Forms for Your Response
You don’t need to create your Answer from scratch. Nevada courts provide forms that include proper legal formatting and language.
The form you use depends on which court handles your case. District courts handle disputes over $10,000. Justice Court handles civil matters under $10,000. Check the Summons and Complaint to see which court name appears in the caption.
Download these forms:
- District Court: Answer form (nonfillable) and instructions for debt over $10,000
- Justice Court: Answer form (fillable) and instructions for debt under $10,000
Our partner Solo generates a personalized Answer for your Nevada case. You answer questions about your situation, and the software creates your response automatically.
Filing Fees Range from $33 to $238
Nevada courts charge a fee to file your Answer. Most courts charge $71, but fees vary by location. Some courts charge as little as $33, others as much as $238.
Can’t afford the fee? File a Nevada fee waiver application. The court may waive your filing fee based on your income and financial situation.
Our partner Solo calculates your exact filing fee and can submit your fee waiver application with your Answer.
Three Steps to Respond to Your Debt Lawsuit
A debt lawsuit begins when a plaintiff files a Summons and Complaint. The plaintiff seeks a legal finding that you owe the debt. Typically, the plaintiff is not your original creditor but a third-party debt collector who bought the debt for pennies on the dollar.
You respond by filing an Answer document. Motions are another option but require legal expertise. An Answer is sufficient for most debt collection cases.
Your Answer must include specific information in the proper format. You need your personal details, the plaintiff’s information, the court’s information, and case details. The Summons and Complaint contain most of this information.
Follow these three steps:
Step 1: Answer Each Claim in the Complaint
The Complaint lists specific claims against you. You must respond to each one. You can admit, deny, or deny due to lack of knowledge.
Most attorneys recommend denying as many claims as possible. Denials force the plaintiff to prove their case. If they can’t prove it, they may dismiss the lawsuit.
Nevada’s Answer forms make this process straightforward:
- Paragraph 1: List numbers of paragraphs you admit
- Paragraph 2: List numbers of paragraphs you deny
- Paragraph 3: List numbers of paragraphs where you lack sufficient knowledge (this functions as a denial)
- Paragraph 4: Address paragraphs that don’t fit neatly into the first three categories
Double-check paragraph numbers against the Complaint to ensure accuracy.
Step 2: Assert Your Affirmative Defenses
Affirmative defenses are legal arguments explaining why the plaintiff’s case should fail. Nevada Answer forms list common affirmative defenses. You simply check boxes that apply to your situation.
Common affirmative defenses include:
- Accord and satisfaction: You and the creditor already reached a settlement agreement
- Discharge in bankruptcy: The debt was eliminated in a previous bankruptcy case
- Payment: You already paid the debt in full
- Statute of limitations: Too much time has passed for the creditor to sue
The statute of limitations defense is powerful in Nevada. Credit card debt has a four-year limit. Medical, student loan, auto loan, mortgage, and personal loan debts have a six-year limit. The clock typically starts from your last payment date.
You can also assert counterclaims if the debt collector violated Nevada debt collection laws. These violations can include harassment, threats, or deceptive practices under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
Step 3: File Your Answer and Serve the Plaintiff
Completing your Answer paperwork isn’t enough. You must file it with the court and serve the plaintiff.
Follow these steps:
- Print at least two copies of your Answer (three is better for your records)
- Mail one copy to the court
- Mail one copy to the plaintiff’s attorney
- Complete the Certificate of Mailing on the Nevada form
The Certificate of Mailing serves as official proof you responded within the 20-day deadline.
Our partner Solo handles filing and serving for you, ensuring all steps are completed correctly.
Settle Your Debt Before or After Filing
Debt settlement helps Nevada consumers reduce what they owe. Many borrowers clear debts by paying less than the original amount. Settlement can prevent wage garnishment.
Respond to the Lawsuit First
File your Answer within Nevada’s 20-day deadline. Missing the deadline gives the creditor a default judgment. You lose negotiating leverage once a judgment exists.
Make a Settlement Offer
Assess your finances to determine what lump sum you can afford. Approach the creditor with an offer lower than your maximum budget. This leaves room for negotiation.
Provide valid reasons why you can’t pay the full amount. Creditors may investigate your claims, so be truthful. Don’t commit to amounts you can’t afford.
Get the Agreement in Writing
Debt collectors sometimes go back on settlement promises. Always get your settlement agreement in writing. Written proof protects you if the collector tries to sue later.
Use reputable settlement services. SoloSettle allows you to negotiate directly with creditors, maintain control of the process, and protect your financial information.
Nevada Debt Collection Laws Protect You
Nevada enforces the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and state-specific consumer protections. Nevada Revised Statutes 649.375 prohibits debt collectors from:
- Using deceptive language or false representation
- Collecting fees, charges, or interest beyond the principal debt (unless authorized by law or agreement)
- Transferring or assigning debt without written consent from the commissioner’s office
- Collecting in locations where they’re not licensed
- Engaging in harassment
- Advertising or threatening to advertise your debt to force payment
- Publishing your debt except for internal purposes
The FDCPA adds federal protections. Debt collectors cannot:
- Call you late at night or very early in the morning
- Use abusive or inappropriate language
- Threaten lawsuits they don’t intend to file
- Pursue debts you don’t owe without verification
- Use deceptive or misleading tactics
- Continue contact after you send a cease and desist letter
Report violations to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Federal Trade Commission, and Nevada Attorney General’s office. You can seek up to $1,000 in damages if you prove violations in court.
Statute of Limitations Can Dismiss Your Case
Nevada’s statute of limitations sets deadlines for creditors to file lawsuits. Expired debts cannot be enforced through court judgments. You can use the statute of limitations as an affirmative defense.
| Debt Type | Statute of Limitations |
|---|---|
| Credit Card | 4 years |
| Medical | 6 years |
| Student Loan | 6 years |
| Auto Loan | 6 years |
| Mortgage | 6 years |
| Personal Loan | 6 years |
| Judgment | 6 years |
The clock starts from your last payment or account activity. Check this date before responding to a lawsuit or making payments on old debts.
Stop Wage Garnishment in Nevada
Nevada creditors can garnish your wages after winning a lawsuit. Nevada law (NV Rev Stat § 31.295) limits garnishment to 25% of disposable earnings. For earnings under $770, the limit drops to 18%.
You can stop or prevent garnishment through these methods:
Object to the Garnishment Order
File an objection if you believe you can win. Request a formal hearing. Valid objection reasons include:
- The creditor wants to take excessive amounts
- The creditor failed to follow proper procedure
- You already paid the debt
- Identity theft or mistaken identity
File a Claim of Exemption
Request the court to exempt part of your income from garnishment. Provide evidence like tax returns, bank statements, pay stubs, and receipts. Attend your court hearing to support your claim.
Negotiate a Settlement
Creditors receiving garnishment payments may still negotiate for a lump sum. Offer to pay 60-80% of the outstanding debt. Start lower and leave room for negotiation. Get the agreement in writing.
File for Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy stops all collection attempts, including wage garnishment. Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Nevada provides immediate relief. Consider this option only if garnishment prevents you from meeting basic needs.
Bankruptcy remains on your credit report for seven to ten years. Use this as a last resort.
Debt Relief Options in Nevada
Nevada residents have multiple paths to debt relief. Your best option depends on your circumstances and available funds.
Debt Refinancing
Take a new loan to restructure existing debt. Refinancing can lower interest rates and free up money for other payments. You can refinance homes, autos, or student loans.
Be cautious refinancing federal student loans. You may lose flexible payment plans and forgiveness program eligibility.
Debt Consolidation
Combine multiple debts into a single payment. Consolidation saves time and effort managing separate payments. It can save money if you secure lower interest rates.
Balance Transfer Card
Transfer credit card balances to a new card with 0% APR. You need good credit to qualify. Pay off the balance during the promotional period (12-21 months) to avoid higher interest rates.
Debt Settlement
Negotiate with creditors to accept less than the full amount owed. Offer a lump sum payment in exchange for debt forgiveness. Start with a lower offer than your maximum budget.
Bankruptcy
Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidates some assets to pay creditors. Chapter 13 bankruptcy creates a 3-5 year repayment plan, then forgives remaining balances.
Credit Counseling Services
Nevada organizations provide financial education, credit counseling, budgeting assistance, and debt management strategies. Consider GreenPath Financial Wellness, Consumer Credit Counseling Services, and Community Services of Nevada.
Check Your Nevada Court Case Status Online
Nevada’s judicial branch provides online access to court case information. You can search online, by mail, or in person.
Understand Nevada’s court structure first:
- Supreme Court: Highest court reviewing lower court decisions
- Court of Appeals: Hears cases assigned by Supreme Court justices
- District Court: General jurisdiction for claims over $15,000
- Justice Court: Handles claims up to $15,000 and small claims under $10,000
Most debt collection cases appear in Justice Court.
Find your case number for the fastest search. Case numbers include the filing year, court type, and sequential number. Example: 23C000010 is the tenth case filed in 2023.
Visit the courthouse in person or use Nevada’s Online Portal to search by name or case number. Carson, Clark, and Washoe Counties have separate search portals.
Free Legal Aid Organizations in Nevada
Nevada residents who can’t afford attorneys can access free legal services:
- Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada
- Nevada Legal Services
- Washoe Legal Services
- Nevada 211
- State of Nevada Self-Help Center
- State Bar of Nevada Pro Bono Legal Services
- Civil Law Self-Help Center
Nevada Court Locations
Nevada’s judiciary branch offers an online court locator tool. Find courthouse addresses, clerk phone numbers, and filing information at the Nevada court locator website.
Major Nevada courts include Justice Courts in Elko, Reno, Sparks, Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and Boulder Townships. District Courts serve all Nevada counties including Clark, Washoe, Carson City, Douglas, Elko, and Nye.