Answer Arizona Debt Summons: 20-Day Response Guide

Getting sued for debt in Arizona? You can respond without a lawyer.

You fill out a court answer form. You file it with the court. You send a copy to the person suing you.

Respond to Your Arizona Debt Lawsuit Today

Don't let your 20-day deadline pass. Get professional help answering your summons and negotiating with collectors to settle for less than you owe.

Answer Your Lawsuit

The answer form lets you respond to each claim against you. You can admit, deny, or say you don’t know about each allegation.

The complaint form lists these claims. You’ll receive it with a court summons that gives you 20 days to respond.

How Debt Collection Lawsuits Work in Arizona

When you get sued for debt in Arizona, your case goes to Justice of the Peace Court.

Claims of $3,500 or less go to small claims division. Claims up to $10,000 go to regular justice court. Both parties can have lawyers in regular court without special permission.

Debt collectors must deliver formal court papers to sue you. These include a summons and complaint that start the lawsuit against you.

Understanding Your Summons

An Arizona civil summons is a multipage document. It tells you critical information about your case.

You’ll find details like:

Court name, address, and case number
Name and contact info of the person suing you
Their lawyer’s information if they hired one
How to respond to the lawsuit
Your deadline to respond (20 days)

Read the Notice to the Defendant section carefully. It usually starts on page three of the summons packet.

Understanding Your Complaint

The complaint accompanies your summons. It explains why you’re being sued and for how much.

Arizona complaints are usually multipage documents. One page includes instructions and important information about your rights.

Read everything carefully. Keep all paperwork in a safe place.

How To Respond to an Arizona Debt Collection Summons

Getting court papers feels scary. Take a deep breath and make a response plan.

You don’t need a lawyer to file an answer successfully. The process is straightforward.

Here’s what you need to do:

Download or get a blank answer form from the court
Respond to each numbered claim in the complaint
Explain your responses and raise any defenses
File your answer with the court within 20 days
Send a copy to the plaintiff or their lawyer

Need help responding but can’t afford an attorney? Our partner Solo helps people answer debt lawsuits and negotiate settlements. They’ve helped over 280,000 people respond to collection lawsuits successfully.

How To Fill Out Your Answer Form

Start by getting a blank answer form. You can download it from the court website or visit the courthouse in person.

The Arizona court system also offers e-filing. Keep in mind there’s an extra charge to print completed forms.

The answer form is three pages long. Follow these steps to complete it correctly.

Fill Out Case Information

Keep your summons and complaint handy. They contain all the case information you need.

Fill out your name and contact information on the top left. Check the “Self” box if you’re representing yourself. Write “N/A” under “Lawyer’s Bar Number.”

Add the court name, case number, and plaintiff’s information. Copy this directly from your summons and complaint.

Respond to Each Question

The answer form is easier to follow than most people expect. Read the entire form before you start filling it out.

Look at the complaint again. Then take each question one by one.

Question 1: Your Summary Answer

Summarize your overall response here. If you deny all claims, state that clearly.

If you admit some claims but deny others, explain that. Tell the judge to see numbered items below for details.

Question 2: Court Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction means the court has legal authority over your case. Arizona debt lawsuits typically happen in the county where you live or work.

Check “admit” if the court location is correct. Check “deny” if you believe you were sued in the wrong court. Explain your reasoning if you deny.

Questions 3-5: Admit, Deny, or Don’t Know

Here you respond to specific claims in the complaint. The complaint uses numbered paragraphs for each claim.

Question 3: List paragraph numbers you admit to.

Question 4: List paragraph numbers you deny.

Question 5: List paragraph numbers where you lack enough information to respond.

Question 6: Your Defenses

Question 6 asks why the plaintiff shouldn’t win. You raise your affirmative defenses here.

Raise Your Affirmative Defenses

An affirmative defense gives a reason the plaintiff should lose. You can win even if their complaint is technically true.

Common defenses in debt lawsuits include:

Statute of limitations expired (debt is too old to sue)
You already paid the debt in full
Wrong person (mistaken identity)
Identity theft (the debt isn’t yours)
Debt was discharged in bankruptcy

Point out any incorrect or missing information in the complaint. Be specific about your defenses.

Gather evidence to support your defenses. You may need bank statements, receipts, correspondence with creditors, or police reports.

Complete Certificate of Service

Arizona law requires you to send your answer to the plaintiff. If they have a lawyer, send it to the lawyer instead.

Make at least two copies of your completed answer. File the original with the court. Keep one copy for yourself. Send one to the plaintiff.

The certificate of service is on page three. You must certify how and when you delivered the form.

You can hand-deliver it, mail it first-class, or deliver it electronically.

File Your Answer Within 20 Days

File your answer form with the court clerk before your 20-day deadline. Missing this deadline could cost you the case.

You can file in person at the courthouse. Some courts allow electronic or mail filing. Call the clerk to verify your options.

Complete steps 4 and 5 in any order. Just finish both within 20 days of receiving your summons.

What Happens After You File Your Answer

Congratulations! You took action to defend your rights.

Many people never respond to debt lawsuits. You’re ahead of the game.

Wait for the court to contact you with next steps. Your case may go to trial before a judge.

You might receive an invitation to a settlement conference or mediation session. These happen outside the courtroom and can resolve your case faster.

Read all court notices carefully. Contact the court clerk with questions about procedures or rules.

The clerk can’t give legal advice. But they can help you navigate the court system and paperwork requirements.

Preparing for Court Appearances

Going to trial requires preparation. Gather evidence and documentation that supports your defenses.

Get familiar with the court location. Some hearings happen remotely now.

Dress professionally on hearing day. Arrive early. Speak respectfully to everyone in the courtroom.

Remember: The plaintiff must prove their case. They need to show you owe the debt and the amount they claim.

Don’t hesitate to ask the plaintiff for proof. Present any information that could get your case dismissed.

What Happens If You Ignore the Lawsuit

Debt collectors sue people because it usually works. Most people never respond.

Ignoring a lawsuit doesn’t make it disappear. It makes things worse.

Not responding typically leads to a default judgment. The court rules against you automatically.

A default judgment gives the debt collector serious power. They can garnish your wages. They can levy your bank account.

You have a real chance to win your case. But only if you respond and fight back.

Already Have a Default Judgment?

You may be able to file a motion to vacate (cancel) the judgment. You’ll need to submit formal paperwork to the court.

Vacating a judgment is more complex than filing an answer form. Consider getting legal help for this process.

Getting Legal Help in Arizona

The Arizona Court’s Self-Help Center provides guidance for people representing themselves. Visit their website for free resources and forms.

If you need more help, Arizona legal aid organizations assist people who can’t afford attorneys:

Arizona’s Community Legal Services
Southern Arizona Legal Aid
DNA-Peoples Legal Services, Inc.

You can also work with our partner Solo to respond to your debt lawsuit. They offer affordable help to answer summons and negotiate settlements with collectors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Arizona debt collection summons?

An Arizona debt collection summons is a legal document that notifies you of a lawsuit and gives you 20 days to respond. It includes court information, case details, the plaintiff's name, and instructions for how to file your answer.

How do I respond to a debt lawsuit in Arizona?

Download the official answer form from the Arizona court website or get one from the courthouse. Fill it out by responding to each claim, raise any defenses you have, then file it with the court and send a copy to the plaintiff within 20 days.

What happens if I don't respond to an Arizona debt summons?

If you don't respond within 20 days, the court will likely issue a default judgment against you. This allows the debt collector to garnish your wages, levy your bank account, and pursue other collection methods.

Can I answer an Arizona debt summons without a lawyer?

Yes, you can represent yourself and file an answer form without hiring a lawyer. The Arizona court system provides official forms and instructions. You can also get help from legal aid organizations or affordable services that assist with debt lawsuit responses.

What are common defenses to Arizona debt collection lawsuits?

Common defenses include: the statute of limitations has expired, you already paid the debt, you're a victim of mistaken identity, the debt resulted from identity theft, or the debt was discharged in bankruptcy. You must raise these defenses in your answer form.

How To Answer an Arizona Debt Collection Summons in 20 Days