How To Respond to Request for Admission in a Debt Lawsuit

A Request for Admissions shortens lawsuit timelines and reduces costs. You must respond quickly to avoid missing your deadline. Your response must follow the Rules of Civil Procedure. Here’s how to respond properly and protect your rights.

What is a Request for Admissions?

During a civil case, one party may ask the other to admit certain facts. The request may ask you to agree to statements, opinions, or confirm document authenticity.

You must respond within 30 days unless the court states otherwise. The opposing party sends the request directly to you by mail. You send your response back to them, not to the court.

Failing to respond within 30 days means admitting everything in most states. You could lose your lawsuit or face court sanctions.

A Request for Admissions is Not the Same as a Complaint

The Complaint initiates a debt lawsuit. If you filed an Answer to the Complaint, you might receive a Request for Admissions next. The case has moved to discovery at that point.

Discovery is when both parties uncover facts, documents, and evidence. Our partner Solo can help you navigate each stage of your debt lawsuit.

A Request for Admissions gets you to admit or deny things under oath. Anything you admit can be used against you at trial. Your responses become considered true facts for the case.

You need to be extremely careful with your answers. Each response matters for your defense.

Here’s what a Request for Admissions looks like:

The document clearly identifies itself as a Request for Admissions. Don’t confuse it with a Complaint.

How To Answer the Request for Admissions

Follow these steps to respond correctly.

Mark Your Response Deadline

Check how much time you have to respond. The deadline depends on state rules and court procedures. Judges may adjust the deadline for your specific case.

Write the deadline on your calendar immediately. Missing it has serious consequences.

Analyze Each Request Carefully

Read each request several times before responding. You can admit, deny, or state you lack sufficient knowledge. You can partially admit and partially deny a request.

Indicate which part you admit and which part you deny clearly. Your response must be specific for each request.

Prepare Your Answer Document

Create a proper response document with correct formatting. Include your information, case details, and the other party’s information at the top.

Some states require identifying parties as propounding or responding. The propounding party sent the Request. You are the responding party.

Respond to Each Request Accurately

Complete the caption information first. Then respond to each request individually. Retype each request exactly as written, then state your response beneath it.

Here’s how your responses should look:

Responding to a Request for Admissions

You can object to requests for valid reasons. Object if a request requires multiple responses or is compound. Object if requests are vague, ambiguous, or unreasonable.

Sign Your Document

Sign your response document and include the date. Your state may require signing under penalty of perjury. Your signature confirms your answers are true and accurate.

How To Serve Your Answer

Serving your response correctly ensures the court accepts it. Follow these steps:

• Make copies: Keep copies for your records. Make copies for every party in the lawsuit.
• Include Certificate of Service: Prove you served your answer properly. Include recipient name, address, filing date, and service method.
• Serve your response: Send your answer to the plaintiff’s attorney and other parties. Federal courts may allow electronic service. All parties receive notification when you file.
• Obtain proof of service: Get confirmation the recipient received your response. Your server prepares this document with date, method, and recipient details.

Making a Reasonable Inquiry

The Code of Civil Procedure governs Requests for Admission. You must follow these guidelines carefully. Breaking these rules affects your lawsuit outcome.

• Failing to respond: The court treats non-response as admission of all claims. You waive all objections. You may lose your case or face sanctions.
• Unverified response: Some states require verification under penalty of perjury. Without proper verification, the court considers your response as no response.
• No reasonable inquiry: You must investigate before responding. The plaintiff may file a Motion to Compel if you had access to relevant information. Courts may sanction you for inadequate inquiry.
• False denial: Falsely denying requests has consequences. Courts may order you to pay attorney fees and costs. Your case outcome suffers.

Responding After the Deadline

Missing your response deadline creates serious problems. Contact an attorney immediately to evaluate your options.

The plaintiff will file a motion to deem admissions true. The judge will likely consider them proven facts. Your chances of winning decrease significantly.

Some states allow late responses before the hearing. You may still pay court fees and plaintiff costs. Responding late is better than not responding at all.

You can file a motion opposing the deemed admissions. Explain why you missed the deadline. Provide valid reasons for your delay. The judge may grant relief if your explanation is acceptable.

Our partner Solo helps you respond to debt collectors properly and on time. Don’t face debt lawsuit discovery alone.

Key Guidelines for Request Responses

A Request for Admissions reduces time and costs in lawsuits. You typically have 30 days to respond. Verify your state’s specific deadline immediately upon receiving the request.

You can admit all claims, deny all claims, or partially admit claims. Your response must follow the Code of Civil Procedure to be acceptable.

Handling discovery properly requires legal knowledge and attention to detail. You need to protect your rights at every stage.