You opened the mail and found a Summons. Your heart probably sank.
That is a normal reaction. Being sued for debt is scary. It feels personal. It feels overwhelming. But take a deep breath. You are not powerless, and this is not the end of the world.
In fact, the debt collector is counting on you to be too scared to do anything. They want you to ignore the papers so they can win automatically. When you fight back, the math changes. You become a problem they have to solve rather than an easy target.
This guide will walk you through exactly how to file an Answer in Connecticut. No legal jargon. No confusion.
Create your court-approved Connecticut Answer in 15 minutes with DebtAegis.
1. The Connecticut Deadline: 30 Days
Time is your most valuable asset right now. In Connecticut, you generally have 30 days to file your response.
The “Return Date” Rule
Connecticut is unique. Your 30-day clock usually starts counting from the “Return Date” listed on your Summons, not necessarily the day you physically touched the papers. Check the top right corner of your Summons form (usually form JD-CV-1). Find that date.
Warning: If you miss this window, the court will likely grant a “default judgment.” This means the collector wins everything they asked for—plus interest and fees—and can start garnishing your wages. Don’t let that happen.
2. The Two Forms You Need
Connecticut requires two specific documents to properly respond to a lawsuit. You cannot just write a letter explaining your hardship. You must use the correct court forms.
A. The Appearance Form
This document tells the court, “I am here, and I am representing myself.” It ensures the court sends future notices directly to you, not just to the person suing you.
B. The Answer Form
This is your official defense. It is where you respond to the specific claims the collector made against you.
3. The Cost to File
Here is some rare good news: There is no fee to file an Answer or Appearance in a standard Connecticut debt collection case.
While the filing itself is free, preparing the documents correctly takes time and precision. A single formatting error can sometimes cause the clerk to reject your paperwork.
4. Step-by-Step: How to Write Your Answer
Writing your Answer isn’t about telling your life story. It’s about checking boxes and being brief. Here is the process.
Step 1: The Basics
Copy the information from your Summons onto your Answer form. You need:
- The case number (often called a Docket Number).
- The name of the Plaintiff (the collector).
- The name of the Defendant (you).
- The Return Date.
Step 2: Respond to the Charges
The “Complaint” document you received lists several numbered paragraphs. Each one contains a fact the collector wants the court to believe (e.g., “Defendant owes $5,000”).
For every paragraph, you must choose one response:
- Agree: You admit the statement is 100% true.
- Disagree: You deny the statement is true.
- Do Not Know: You don’t have enough information to admit or deny it.
Strategy Note: If a paragraph contains even one small error—like the wrong date or an incorrect dollar amount—you should generally Disagree. Make the plaintiff prove every single detail.
Step 3: Affirmative Defenses
This is your shield. An “affirmative defense” is a legal reason why you don’t owe the debt, even if the facts in the complaint are true. Common defenses include:
- Statute of Limitations: The debt is too old to be collected legally.
- Identity Theft: The account isn’t yours.
- Payment: You already paid this debt.
- Lack of Documentation: The collector hasn’t proven they own the debt (very common with debt buyers).
Step 4: File and Serve
Once your documents are signed, you must distribute them:
- The Court: Send the original Answer and Appearance to the Clerk of Court at the courthouse listed on your Summons.
- The Plaintiff: You must mail a copy to the debt collector’s attorney.
- Yourself: Always keep a stamped copy for your own records.
The DebtAegis Advantage: We automatically generate your Answer and Appearance forms and provide a simple “Filing Instructions” sheet. It tells you exactly where to sign and where to mail your documents, so you don’t have to guess.
5. Connecticut Statute of Limitations
If a debt is old, you might not have to pay it. In Connecticut, the statute of limitations generally sets a strict deadline for collectors to sue you.
- Credit Card Debt: 6 years
- Written Contracts: 6 years
- Medical Debt: 6 years
- Auto Loans: 6 years
If the last payment or activity on the account was more than 6 years ago, the lawsuit may be illegal. You must raise this as a defense in your Answer, or the court might ignore it.
Ready to Defend Yourself?
You don’t need to hire an expensive attorney to file a simple document. You just need the right tools.
DebtAegis helps you build a professional, procedural defense in minutes. We are not a law firm, but we give you the power to represent yourself with confidence.
- Essential Plan ($67): Get your custom Answer & Appearance forms instantly.
- Plus Plan ($147): Includes a Specialist Review to check your formatting before you file.
- Premium Plan ($247): Rush handling for urgent deadlines (less than 3 days left).
100% Money-Back Guarantee: If the court rejects your filing due to our formatting errors, you get a full refund.