Receiving a Civil Summons in Kentucky can feel like a heavy weight has landed on your shoulders. You aren’t alone—nearly one-third of Kentuckians have debt in collections. The most important thing to know right now is that you have a path forward. If you’ve received a Summons and Complaint, you must act quickly to protect your rights.
In Kentucky, time is your most valuable asset. Under the Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure, you have exactly 20 days from the date you were served to file a written response. If you miss this window, the creditor can request a “default judgment,” allowing them to garnish your wages or seize funds from your bank account without further notice.
Before You File: Do You Have Your Answer Ready?
Writing a legal response from scratch is risky. A single formatting error can lead to a default judgment.
Create your court-ready Kentucky Answer in 15 minutes with DebtAegis.
1. Understanding the 20-Day Deadline
From the moment the papers are handed to you, the clock starts ticking. Kentucky gives you 20 calendar days to file your Answer. Do not wait until day 19. The court must receive your documents before the deadline, or you lose by default. Filing a response pauses the collector’s momentum and forces them to prove their case in court.
2. Kentucky Answer Filing Fees
There is no fee to file a standard Answer to a debt lawsuit in Kentucky. While the person suing you had to pay to start the case, asserting your defense is free. This ensures every Kentuckian has the right to defend themselves, regardless of their bank balance. You only need to cover your own mailing costs.
3. How to Respond to the Claims
The Complaint lists numbered allegations against you. You must respond to each one individually. You generally have three choices for each claim:
- Admit: You agree the statement is 100% true.
- Deny: You demand the collector prove it. (Most experts suggest denying claims you aren’t absolutely certain about to put the burden of proof on the creditor).
- Lack of Knowledge: You don’t have enough information to say if it’s true or false.
4. State Your Affirmative Defenses
This is your shield. An affirmative defense is a legal reason why the creditor should lose, even if the debt was once yours. Common Kentucky defenses include:
- Statute of Limitations: In Kentucky, the time limit to sue for credit card debt is typically 5 years (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-25), while written contracts can extend to 10 years. If the debt is too old, the case should be dismissed.
- Identity Theft: The debt belongs to someone else or was opened fraudulently.
- Incorrect Amount: The balance the collector is claiming is inaccurate or includes illegal fees.
5. Filing and Serving Your Documents
Once your Answer is signed, you must complete two final steps:
- File with the Court: Deliver the original to the courthouse clerk listed on your Summons. Most people representing themselves file by mail or in person.
- Serve the Plaintiff: You must send a copy to the creditor’s attorney. We strongly recommend using USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt so you have legal proof they received it.
Take Control of Your Case Today
Legal jargon is confusing, and one small formatting error can lead a judge to reject your papers. DebtAegis simplifies the process by providing the exact documents and procedural guidance you need to stand your ground. Don’t let a debt collector win just because you didn’t file a piece of paper.
- Simple: No legal degree required. We translate the law into plain English.
- Fast: Your court-compliant documents are ready in about 15 minutes.
- Guaranteed: We offer a 100% money-back guarantee if the court rejects your filing due to our formatting errors.