Getting sued for a debt feels overwhelming. You open the mail, see a Summons, and panic sets in. But here is the truth: a lawsuit is just a question. The court is asking, “Do you agree you owe this?”
If you stay silent, you lose. If you answer, you fight.
In Utah, you have a strict window to file a legal response called an Answer. If you miss it, the court grants a default judgment. This allows the debt collector to garnish your wages or seize bank funds without asking you again.
Create your court-approved Utah Answer in 15 minutes with DebtAegis
1. The 21-Day Deadline
Time is your most important asset. The clock starts ticking the moment you receive the Summons and Complaint.
- If you were served inside Utah: You have 21 days to respond.
- If you were served outside Utah: You have 30 days to respond.
Do not wait for the court to send a reminder. They won’t. If day 22 arrives and you haven’t filed your Answer, the plaintiff can win automatically.
2. Utah Filing Fees
The Good News:Unlike many other states, Utah generally charges no fee to file a standard Answer in a debt collection case.
While filing a counterclaim or other complex motions might cost money, simply defending yourself is free. You only need to pay for the postage to mail your documents.
3. Drafting Your Answer
You do not need a law degree to write an Answer. You just need to be honest and organized. The Answer document has two main parts:
A. Responses to Claims
The “Complaint” document lists specific accusations (e.g., “Defendant owes $5,000”). You must respond to each numbered paragraph with one of three phrases:
- Admit: “This is true.”
- Deny: “I dispute this. Prove it.”
- Deny for lack of knowledge: “I don’t know if this is true.”
Strategy Note: Most legal experts recommend denying claims unless you are 100% certain every detail (including the exact dollar amount) is correct. This forces the debt collector to produce evidence.
B. Affirmative Defenses
This is where you tell your side of the story. An affirmative defense is a legal reason why you shouldn’t have to pay, even if the debt was once yours. Common Utah defenses include:
- Statute of Limitations: In Utah, the limit for most debt is 6 years. If the account has been inactive for longer than that, they cannot legally sue you.
- Identity Theft: The debt belongs to someone else.
- Lack of Documentation: The collector has no proof they own the debt.
4. How to File in Utah
Utah courts typically require self-represented people (pro se defendants) to file by mail or in person. Electronic filing is usually restricted to attorneys.
The “Rule of Two”You must print and sign two copies of your Answer:
- Copy 1 (The Court): Mail this to the Clerk of Court listed on your Summons.
- Copy 2 (The Plaintiff): Mail this to the attorney listed on the Complaint.
Mailing Tip: Always use USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt. The green return receipt is your “bulletproof vest”—it proves you met the deadline if the court ever questions it.
Ready to Defend Yourself?
Writing a legal document from scratch is risky. One missing paragraph can jeopardize your defense.
DebtAegis turns this complex process into a simple questionnaire. We generate your court-ready Answer, verify your local court address, and give you step-by-step instructions on how to mail it.