Answer Summons Debt Collection Washington 2025 Guide

Summary: You have 20 days to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in Washington. File your Answer with the court and send a copy to the plaintiff. Respond to each claim and assert your affirmative defenses. Our partner Solo helps you respond in just 15 minutes.

Receiving a Summons and Complaint about debt feels overwhelming. Ignoring it guarantees you automatically lose.

Respond to Your Washington Debt Lawsuit in 15 Minutes

You have only 20 days to file your Answer in Washington. Don't risk a default judgment. Our partner Solo creates your custom Answer and files it with the court for you.

File Your Answer Now

You are not alone in this fight. Over 70 million Americans deal with debt collectors every year.

Taking action now gives you far greater success than hiding from the problem. You can fight back and win.

Washington Deadline for Answering a Debt Collection Summons

You have 20 days to file your Answer after receiving the Summons and Complaint. Washington Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 12(a)(1-2) sets this deadline.

The countdown starts the day after you receive the documents. The stamped date on the Summons does not matter.

Missing this deadline results in an automatic loss. The court enters a default judgment against you.

Washington Answer to Summons Forms

You need to create and file an Answer to respond properly. Our partner Solo makes this process simple and fast.

The Answer form is customized to your specific case. You respond to simple questions about your situation.

An attorney reviews your completed documents before filing. Every detail and deadline gets handled correctly.

Alternatively, you can use Washington’s self-help forms for debt collection lawsuits. These general forms cover civil cases throughout the state.

Know the Requirements to Respond in Washington

You have the right to disagree in writing with the claims. Silence equals agreement in the eyes of the court.

Failing to respond gives the collector an automatic win. A default judgment allows them to seize your assets.

Creditors can garnish your wages with a judgment. They can freeze your bank account and place liens on your property.

You must deliver one of these documents within 20 days:

A Notice of Appearance
An Answer

File a copy with the court. Send another copy to the collector’s attorney.

What is a Notice of Appearance?

A Notice of Appearance states you will participate in the lawsuit. It stops the court from entering a default judgment without a hearing.

This document does not explain your position. An Answer is far more powerful because it presents your defense.

Use These Steps to Respond to a Washington Debt Collection Lawsuit

The lawsuit begins when you receive the Summons and Complaint. These arrive by mail or hand delivery.

The Summons notifies you of the lawsuit officially. The Complaint lists every specific claim against you.

You have 20 days to respond with an Answer or Notice of Appearance. An Answer lets you tell your side of the story.

Follow these three critical steps:

Answer each issue listed in the Complaint
Assert affirmative defenses
File the Answer with the court and serve the plaintiff

Step 1: Answer Each Issue Listed in the Complaint

Read the Complaint carefully before responding. You have three response options for each paragraph:

Admit: You agree with the statement
Deny: You disagree with the statement
Deny for lack of knowledge: You don’t have enough information

Match each answer to its corresponding paragraph number. Be specific and honest in your responses.

Step 2: Assert Affirmative Defenses

Affirmative defenses state why the collector lacks a valid case. You must list these defenses in your Answer.

Common defenses include:

The debt belongs to someone else
You already paid the debt in full
The statute of limitations expired (3-6 years in Washington)
You partially paid the amount owed
The debt was discharged in bankruptcy
You never received proper notice of your co-signer rights

Inability to pay is not a valid defense. You need legal grounds to challenge the debt.

Step 3: File the Answer with the Court and Serve the Plaintiff

Filing your Answer completes the response process. Many people forget this crucial final step.

Here’s how to file properly:

Print two copies of your Answer
Mail or deliver one copy to the court
Mail the second copy to the debt collector’s attorney

The Summons and Complaint contains the necessary addresses. Call the court clerk if you cannot find them.

Statute of Limitations on Debt in Washington

Washington law sets deadlines for filing debt lawsuits. Collectors cannot legally sue you after these deadlines expire.

You must raise this defense in your Answer. The court will not automatically dismiss expired debts.

Washington statute of limitations ranges from 3 to 10 years. The deadline depends on your debt type.

Debt Type	Time Limit
Oral Contract	3 years
Credit Card	6 years
Medical Debt	6 years
Student Loan	6 years
Auto Loan	6 years
Mortgage	6 years
Personal Loan	6 years
Judgment	10 years

Written contracts and account receivables follow the six-year rule. Oral agreements expire after just three years.

Know Washington State Collection Laws

Understanding your rights protects you from abusive collectors. Federal and state laws provide strong protections.

Federal Protection Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act prohibits harassment and abuse. Collectors cannot engage in these practices:

Calling you multiple times per day
Hiding their identity as a debt collector
Refusing to validate your debt
Threatening arrest for non-payment
Impersonating lawyers or law enforcement

Collectors must validate your debt in writing. You have 30 days to dispute the debt after receiving validation.

Washington State Protection Laws

Washington RCW 19.16.250 adds extra layers of protection. Collectors cannot:

Call you after you request they stop
Call your home more than three times weekly
Call your workplace more than once weekly
Use profane or offensive language
Misrepresent their identity or authority

Report violations to these agencies:

Washington Department of Licensing Collection Agency Board
Washington State Attorney General Consumer Protection Division
Federal Trade Commission
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (855-411-2372)

What is a Summons and Complaint?

The Summons notifies you of the lawsuit officially. The Complaint details every claim against you.

These documents include amounts owed and payment dates. They name the original creditor and current collector.

Do I Have to Respond to the Summons?

Yes, you must file a written Answer to avoid losing. Silence results in a default judgment against you.

Filing a Notice of Appearance at minimum prevents default. An Answer is far better because it presents your defense.

What Happens If I Don’t File an Answer?

You automatically lose without filing an Answer. The collector gets a default judgment against you.

Default judgments allow wage garnishment and bank account seizures. Collectors can place liens on your property.

The court awards everything the collector requests. This includes court fees and attorney costs.

Can Collectors Sue Even If I Offer to Pay?

Yes, collectors can still file lawsuits against you. Offering to pay does not stop legal action.

Winning collectors often add court costs to your debt. The final amount becomes much higher than the original debt.

Collectors have no obligation to accept partial payments. They can demand the full amount through court.

Can I Be Sued If I Cannot Afford to Pay?

Yes, inability to pay is not a valid legal defense. Collectors can sue regardless of your financial situation.

You still have options to resolve the debt. Settlement offers often work when you cannot pay in full.

Most debt collectors purchase old debts for pennies on the dollar. They profit even when accepting reduced amounts.

Negotiating a settlement can reduce your total payment significantly. Start with an offer around 30-50% of the balance.

Washington Legal Aid Organizations

Free legal services exist for qualifying Washington residents. These organizations provide help with debt lawsuits:

Northwest Justice Project
Washington State Department of Child Support
Office of Civil Legal Aid

Check the Status of Your Washington Court Case

Staying informed about your case status is critical. You have multiple options for checking case information.

Find Your Case Number

Your case number appears on the Summons and Complaint. The format varies by court and may include letters or numbers.

Request your case number from the local courthouse in writing. You can also search online through Washington’s Court Case Search Portal.

Access Your Case in Person

Visit the courthouse and ask the clerk for assistance. Some courts require written requests for case information.

Many courthouses offer self-service portals for searching records. Find your local courthouse using Washington’s court directory.

Access Your Case Online

Washington’s Court Case Search Portal lets you search records online. Search using these criteria:

Case number
Party names
Attorney names
Court dates

Providing more information narrows your search results. You get faster access to your specific case.

Stop Wage Garnishment in Washington

Losing your case gives creditors garnishment rights. You still have options to stop or reduce wage garnishment.

Creditors Need a Court Order First

No creditor can garnish wages without a court order. Responding quickly to lawsuits prevents default judgments.

You often have just 14-20 days to file your Answer. Missing this deadline almost guarantees wage garnishment.

Know Your Rights Under Garnishment Limits

Washington law limits how much creditors can garnish. RCW 6.27.150 sets specific limits by debt type:

Consumer debt: 20% of income or amounts exceeding 35 times minimum wage
Private student loans: 15% of income or amounts exceeding 50 times minimum wage
Other debts: 25% of income or amounts exceeding 35 times minimum wage

These income sources are exempt from garnishment:

Retirement benefits
Social Security income
Worker’s compensation

Object to Excessive Wage Garnishment

You can object to garnishment on several grounds:

The creditor miscalculated the amount
You never received proper garnishment notice
Your exempt income is being garnished
The garnishment creates severe financial hardship

Contact the court that issued the garnishment order. Complete their objection form and attend your scheduled hearing.

The judge considers both sides before making a decision. No guarantee exists that garnishment will be reduced.

File an Exemption

Washington residents can file exemptions to protect income. Valid reasons include:

Your income falls below the federal poverty line
Your income supports your family by more than 50%
Your income comes from public assistance
Your income is a legally protected benefit

File a claim of exemption to determine eligibility. Attend a hearing where the court reviews your claim.

Find Debt Relief in Washington

Multiple debt relief options exist for Washington residents. Choose the solution that fits your situation best.

Pursue Debt Relief Programs

Washington offers several financial assistance programs:

Washington 2-1-1: Connects you to community and financial services
Earned Income Tax Credit: Provides tax breaks for low-income residents
Washington TANF: Offers temporary cash assistance for families
Housing and Essential Needs Referral: Provides housing assistance

These programs help you manage finances while addressing debt. They provide breathing room during difficult times.

Consolidate Your Debt

Debt consolidation combines multiple debts into one low-interest loan. You make a single monthly payment instead of many.

Strong credit is required for the best rates. Poor credit limits your consolidation options significantly.

Negotiate Your Debt Settlement

Settlement negotiations can reduce your total debt significantly. You communicate directly with creditors to reach an agreement.

Traditional debt relief companies charge high fees. They offer no guarantee that creditors will accept settlements.

A better option exists for settling your debt. You control the negotiation process from start to finish.

File Bankruptcy as a Last Resort

Bankruptcy eliminates most unsecured debts completely. Chapter 7 liquidates assets while Chapter 13 creates a repayment plan.

Bankruptcy remains on your credit report for up to 10 years. You may lose valuable assets in the process.

Bankruptcy cannot discharge certain debts. Student loans, alimony, child support, and back taxes survive bankruptcy.

Key Takeaways

You now know how to respond to debt collection lawsuits in Washington. Remember these critical points:

You have 20 days to respond after receiving the Summons and Complaint
File an Answer or Notice of Appearance with the court
Respond to each claim and assert your affirmative defenses
Send a copy to the opposing attorney immediately
Washington’s statute of limitations is 3-6 years for most debts
State laws protect you from abusive collection practices

Taking action now protects your wages and assets. You have the power to fight back successfully.

File an Answer in Your Local Washington Court

Pierce County District Court
King County District Court (Issaquah East Division)
Snohomish County District Court (Everett Division)
Kitsap County District Court
Spokane County District Court
Clark County District Court
Thurston County District Court
Yakima County District Court
Whatcom County District Court
Benton County District Court

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Summons and Complaint for debt collection?

A Summons is the official notification that you are being sued. The Complaint lists all specific claims against you, including the debt amount, creditor name, and missed payment dates. Together, these documents initiate a debt collection lawsuit in Washington.

How do I respond to a debt collection lawsuit in Washington?

You must file a written Answer within 20 days of receiving the Summons and Complaint. Your Answer should respond to each claim with admit, deny, or deny for lack of knowledge. Assert your affirmative defenses and file the Answer with the court while sending a copy to the collector's attorney.

What happens if I don't respond to a debt collection summons?

You automatically lose the case if you don't respond within 20 days. The court enters a default judgment against you, which allows the collector to garnish your wages, freeze your bank account, and place liens on your property. They can also add court fees and attorney costs to your debt.

Can I be sued for debt in Washington if I cannot afford to pay?

Yes, inability to pay is not a valid legal defense in Washington. However, you can negotiate a settlement offer with the collector for less than the full amount. Most collectors purchase old debts for pennies on the dollar and will accept reduced payments to make a profit.

What is the statute of limitations on debt in Washington?

Washington's statute of limitations ranges from 3 to 10 years depending on debt type. Credit card debt, medical debt, and written contracts have a 6-year limit. Oral contracts expire after 3 years. Judgments last 10 years. You must raise this defense in your Answer or the court won't enforce it.