Answer a Debt Collection Summons in Pennsylvania (2025 Guide)

Getting sued for debt in Pennsylvania doesn’t have to be traumatic. You have legal rights that protect you from unfair debt collectors. Pennsylvania debt collection laws shield you from abusive practices. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act offers additional protections.

You can respond to your debt lawsuit and protect your rights. Many people end up paying less than they originally owed. Follow this guide to meet deadlines, respond properly, and get debt collectors off your back.

You Have 20 Days to Respond

Pennsylvania law gives you 20 days to respond to a debt collection lawsuit. The Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure make this deadline clear. You must file your Answer within this timeframe to preserve your right to defend yourself.

Respond as soon as possible after receiving the Summons. The worst mistake you can make is ignoring the lawsuit.

Miss the 20-day deadline and you’ll get a 10-Day Notice. After that, the plaintiff’s attorney will file a Motion for Default Judgment. A default judgment means you automatically lose your case. The judge awards the plaintiff whatever they asked for, even if you don’t owe that amount.

Pennsylvania Answer Forms and Requirements

Pennsylvania doesn’t provide an official form to answer a Summons. You’ll need to create your own response document.

Your Answer must include specific information at the top. Copy everything from your Summons and Complaint exactly. Include your name, address, and personal information. Add the plaintiff’s information and their attorney’s details. List the court name, address, and case number.

You can work with our partner Solo to draft your response in 15 minutes. They’ll have an attorney review your document and file it correctly.

Most Courts Don’t Charge Filing Fees

Great news: you don’t pay to file an Answer in most Pennsylvania courts.

Some courts are exceptions. The Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia charges $154.54 to file an Answer. Can’t afford the fee? Apply for a fee waiver by completing your court’s fee waiver form.

Check your specific court’s fee schedule before filing. Your Answer will be rejected if you owe a fee and don’t pay it.

Three Steps to Respond to Your Lawsuit

You’ll receive a Pennsylvania Summons and Complaint in the mail. The Summons notifies you of the lawsuit. The Complaint lists the specific claims against you.

Follow these three steps to protect yourself:

Step 1: Answer Each Claim From the Complaint

Read through every numbered paragraph in the Complaint carefully. Understand what the debt collector claims you owe.

Create a corresponding list responding to each claim. Use one of these three responses:

• Admit: The claim is true
• Deny: Make them prove it
• Deny due to lack of knowledge: You don’t know if it’s true

Answer honestly. Deny claims that are incorrect. Admit claims that are accurate. State you don’t know when you’re genuinely unsure.

Most attorneys recommend denying as many claims as possible. A General Denial puts the burden of proof on the opposing counsel. They must prove every allegation against you is true.

Step 2: Assert Your Affirmative Defenses

An affirmative defense is any legal reason the lawsuit against you isn’t valid. List every affirmative defense that applies to your situation.

Common affirmative defenses in debt collection cases include:

• The debt doesn’t belong to you
• You canceled your contract and owe nothing
• The statute of limitations has expired (four years in Pennsylvania)
• You’re a victim of identity theft
• The debt amount is incorrect
• The plaintiff is a debt buyer, not the original creditor

Example: Janet hasn’t made payments on her credit card for over five years. The debt is past Pennsylvania’s four-year statute of limitations. She asserts this in her Answer. The court reviews and dismisses the case.

Inability to pay doesn’t qualify as an affirmative defense. The exception is if bankruptcy discharged your debt. Keep documentation showing the discharge.

Step 3: File Your Answer and Serve the Plaintiff

Complete your Answer by adding a Certificate of Compliance. Pennsylvania requires this certification for all non-confidential documents.

The Certificate states: “I certify that this filing complies with the provisions of the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania.”

Follow these steps to officially file:

1. Print two copies of your Answer
2. Mail the first copy to the court
3. Mail the second copy to the plaintiff’s attorney

Use USPS Certified Mail with a receipt. You’ll have proof both parties received your Answer. Keep copies of everything and take photos with your phone.

Working with our partner Solo means they file for you. An attorney reviews your document before filing.

Pennsylvania’s Four-Year Statute of Limitations

Pennsylvania has a four-year statute of limitations for most debts. Your last payment date starts the clock.

Creditors cannot legally sue you after four years of account inactivity. They try anyway, and many succeed. You must raise the expired statute of limitations as an affirmative defense in your Answer.

Be careful not to restart the clock accidentally. Debt collectors may try to trick you:

• Don’t make a small payment as a “show of good faith”
• Don’t agree to a repayment plan when the statute is expiring
• Never acknowledge you own or are responsible for an old debt

Special Rules for Magistrate Courts

Most magisterial district courts in Pennsylvania don’t require written Answers. You must call the court to confirm your “Intent to Defend.” Some courts require you to sign and submit an Intent to Defend form.

Magisterial judges don’t review case documents until the hearing. Filing an Answer isn’t necessary beforehand.

An Answer document still helps you prepare your case. You must give notice of Intent to Defend to officially respond.

Settle Your Debt in Three Steps

Constant creditor calls wear on your mental and physical well-being. Debt settlement offers a way to resolve debts and get a fresh start.

Pennsylvania debt settlement means offering a lump sum payment, typically less than the original amount. Creditors often accept because something is better than nothing.

Step 1: Answer the Lawsuit First

File an Answer immediately if a creditor sued you. Your Answer protects your position while you pursue settlement. You have 20 days to file in Pennsylvania.

Step 2: Make a Settlement Offer

Determine how much you can afford to pay. Think creatively beyond savings. Can you borrow from friends or family? Can you sell assets for cash?

Offer slightly less than your maximum affordable amount. The creditor will likely counteroffer. You want room to negotiate.

Most debts settle for 60% to 80% of the balance. Debt collectors may accept substantially less since they bought the debt cheaply.

Step 3: Get Everything in Writing

Demand a written settlement agreement after reaching an agreement. File it into the court case immediately.

Your settlement agreement should include:

• The settlement amount
• Payment due dates
• A declaration that the case is dismissed upon payment

Both parties must sign before any money changes hands.

Pennsylvania Debt Collection Laws Protect You

Pennsylvania offers strong consumer protection laws. Debt collectors have legal limits on collection actions.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Prohibits Harassment

The FDCPA is federal law that protects consumers from harassment. Debt collectors cannot:

• Call you early morning or late at night
• Call you at work if your employer prohibits it
• Use abusive or obscene language
• Tell your employer, family, or friends about your debt
• Make false statements about who they are

Debt collectors must disclose that they’re debt collectors. You can seek up to $1,000 in damages for FDCPA violations.

File complaints with the Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Better Business Bureau, and Pennsylvania’s attorney general.

The Fair Credit Extension Uniformity Act Promotes Transparency

The FCEUA applies to businesses collecting their own debts. Pennsylvania law prohibits false, misleading, or deceptive collection practices.

Collectors cannot:

• Falsely represent the debt amount
• Pretend to be an attorney or law enforcement
• Threaten arrest or jail time for non-payment
• Deposit post-dated checks early
• Threaten to damage your property
• Communicate via postcard

Violators face sanctions, damages, and attorney’s fees under Pennsylvania’s Unfair Trade Practices laws.

Stop Wage Garnishment in Pennsylvania

Wage garnishment lets debt collectors take money directly from your paycheck. Creditors must first win a court judgment before garnishing wages.

Pennsylvania law limits garnishment amounts:

• Creditors can take 25% of disposable income or the amount exceeding 30 times minimum wage
• Heads of household providing 50%+ dependent support face only 10% garnishment or amounts exceeding 50 times federal minimum wage
• Social Security, disability, workers’ compensation, and some retirement income are exempt

You can object to garnishment if it’s based on incorrect information. File an objection if:

• The debt amount is wrong
• You have multiple garnishments
• You received delayed notice
• It resulted from identity theft

Prevent garnishment by negotiating debt settlement before judgment. Be prepared to make a lump sum payment if the creditor accepts.

Find Debt Relief in Pennsylvania

The average Pennsylvania resident carries $48,300 in personal debt. Rising costs and expensive housing contribute to growing debt burdens.

Start with an accurate picture of your finances. Track how much money comes in monthly. Track every bill and expense going out. Spend less or earn more if more leaves than enters.

Establish a budget next. Cut unnecessary spending. Put extra money toward debt reduction.

Two strategic payment methods can help:

1. Snowball method: Pay off the smallest debt first. Apply that payment to the next smallest debt. Continue until larger debts receive substantial payments.
2. Avalanche method: Focus on the highest interest rate first. Move to the next highest rate after paying off each debt.

Debt consolidation loans work if you qualify for decent interest rates. One monthly payment is easier to manage than multiple payments.

Debt settlement can work alone or with other strategies. Negotiate on your own or use a reputable company. Expect a credit score hit. Understand that companies charge a percentage of settled debt.

Bankruptcy is the last resort. Consider Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 only after exhausting other options. Understand the long-lasting impact on credit access, apartment rentals, mortgages, and car purchases.

Get Financial Assistance in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania offers programs providing financial assistance and benefits:

• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): Financial help for low-income residents with dependent children
• Department of Aging: Resources connecting aging and disabled individuals with community support
• Lifeline 135: Telephone bill discounts and phone installation assistance
• PARxPriceFinder.com: State website locating low-cost prescription drugs

Consider debt relief programs carefully. Evaluate debt settlement services and debt management programs. Ensure programs align with your financial situation. Review the fine print and weigh pros and cons.

Find Your Pennsylvania Court Case

Pennsylvania makes finding court records easy. Use the online portal or visit the courthouse. Access records to track your case progress and improve your outcome.

Visit the clerk of court’s office at your case courthouse for in-person access. Most people prefer online access through the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal.

Search using:

• Plaintiff and defendant names
• Case number
• Attorney names
• Organization name
• Filing date

You can locate your case in moments with the right information. Narrow down results quickly if multiple cases appear.

Pennsylvania Legal Aid Organizations

Pennsylvania has government-funded organizations providing free legal services. Contact them if you need help.

Legal Aid of Southwest Pennsylvania – Main Branch
625-627 Swede St.
Norristown, PA 19401
(877) 429-5994

MidPenn Legal Services, Inc.
213-A North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 234-0492

Philadelphia Legal Assistance
718 Arch Street, Suite 300N
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 981-3800

North Penn Legal Services
559 Main Street, Suite 200
Bethlehem, PA 18018
(877) 953-4250

What If You Haven’t Been Sued Yet?

Respond with a Debt Validation Letter if you’ve only received a collections notice. No lawsuit means different strategies apply.

Send a Debt Validation Letter when a debt collector contacts you. Your letter notifies the collector you dispute the debt. They must provide proof you owe it.

Collectors can’t call or continue collecting until they validate the debt. Use this strategy to protect your rights early.