You just got a debt lawsuit. You feel scared. That is normal.
In Maryland, if you get a Writ of Summons, you have a strict deadline. Missing it means the creditor wins automatically. We help people like you prepare the right court document—an Answer—to fight back. Think of us as your self-help tool for procedural compliance, not as attorneys.
You can create your court-ready Maryland Answer document and filing instructions in 15 minutes. See our pricing and plans here.
Maryland Debt Lawsuit Deadlines, in Brief
Your deadline depends on where the creditor filed the case. Look at your Summons. It will tell you the court type.
District Court: This is where most debt cases go. You have 15 days to file your response.
Circuit Court: If the claim is for a larger amount, it may be here. You have 30 days to file your response.
A Critical Exception: If you were served outside of Maryland, you likely have 60 days to respond, even in District Court. Do not assume this. Always check the court rules or the Summons itself.
The Right Way to Respond: Your Document Preparation
The Summons document includes a small section called the “Notice of Intention to Defend”. You can fill this out and send it back to tell the court you plan to fight. However, this form is very simple. It gives you little room to truly defend yourself.
We recommend you file a full Answer document. This is a more detailed document that serves the same function as the Notice of Intention to Defend, but it lets you do two crucial things:
Respond to every claim the creditor makes against you.
Assert your affirmative defenses, which are your legal reasons the creditor should lose.
A successful defense begins with careful document preparation.
Good News About Filing Fees
Maryland does not charge you a fee to file your Answer or your Notice of Intention to Defend.
The only time you pay a fee is if you choose to file a separate action, like a counterclaim against the debt collector (the filing fee is typically $18 for a counterclaim).
The 3 Steps to File Your Maryland Answer
Once you decide to fight the lawsuit, you must follow these steps. Our self-help tools automate steps one and two, giving you the document you need for step three.
1. Answer Each Claim in the Complaint
The creditor’s Complaint lists numbered claims, or allegations, against you. You must reply to each one. You have three options:
Admit: You agree this claim is true. (Use this sparingly.)
Deny: You refuse to accept the claim as true and demand the creditor prove it.
Deny Due to Lack of Knowledge: You do not have enough information to form a belief about the truth of the claim.
Most experts recommend denying as many claims as possible. This puts the burden on the creditor to produce solid proof. If they lack the right documents, they may lose their case.
2. Assert Your Affirmative Defenses
Affirmative defenses are your arguments for why the creditor cannot win, even if their claims were true. They are powerful. You must raise these defenses yourself; the court will not do it for you.
Common defenses in Maryland debt cases:
Statute of Limitations: The time limit for suing on most credit debt in Maryland is three years. If the debt is older than three years from the date you last paid, this defense may apply. You must include this in your Answer.
Improper Service: Maryland law requires the Summons be delivered correctly. If the creditor failed to serve you the right way, you can ask the court to dismiss the case.
Identity Theft: The debt is not yours.
Violation of Debt Collection Law: Maryland law forbids debt collectors from doing specific things, like threatening violence, contacting your employer, or using obscene language. If they broke these rules, you can raise this as a defense.
3. File the Answer and Send a Copy
You must file your prepared Answer document with the correct Maryland court (District or Circuit) before the deadline expires.
You also need to mail a copy of the completed Answer to the opposing attorney or the creditor (the plaintiff). This step is called “service.”
Some Maryland courts allow e-filing, but most self-represented defendants rely on mail or in-person filing. Our procedural compliance guide gives you clear instructions on where and how to send your documents.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait
When you get sued, the deadline is your main enemy. If you wait, you risk a default judgment that allows wage garnishment or bank levy. Take action now. Prepare your documents, file on time, and force the creditor to prove their case.
Ready to protect yourself with a properly formatted, comprehensive Answer document?