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Answer to Complaint Template
Formally respond to a legal complaint and present your defenses with this Answer to Complaint Template.
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Answer to Complaint Template
This Answer to Complaint (“Answer”) is filed in the [Name of Court], [Jurisdiction], by the Defendant in response to the Complaint filed by the Plaintiff.
1. Parties
Plaintiff: [Full Legal Name]
Defendant: [Full Legal Name]
Case Number: [Case Number]
2. Preliminary Statement
The Defendant submits this Answer to the allegations set forth in the Complaint and asserts any defenses available under applicable law.
3. Responses to Allegations
The Defendant responds to the Complaint as follows:
Paragraph 1: [Admit / Deny / Lack sufficient information to admit or deny].
Paragraph 2: [Admit / Deny / Lack sufficient information to admit or deny].
Paragraph 3: [Continue for each numbered paragraph in the Complaint].
4. Affirmative Defenses
Without admitting any liability, the Defendant asserts the following affirmative defenses:
Failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.
Lack of subject matter jurisdiction.
Statute of limitations has expired.
Plaintiff’s own negligence contributed to damages.
Any additional defenses as applicable.
5. Counterclaims (Optional)
If applicable, the Defendant asserts the following counterclaims against the Plaintiff:
[Describe counterclaim and basis for relief].
6. Prayer for Relief
The Defendant respectfully requests that the Court:
Dismiss the Complaint with prejudice.
Award costs and attorney’s fees to the Defendant.
Grant any further relief deemed just and proper.
7. Verification
I, the undersigned Defendant, certify that the statements made in this Answer are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.
8. Certificate of Service
I certify that a copy of this Answer was served on the Plaintiff or Plaintiff’s counsel on [Date] by [Method of Service, e.g., mail, personal delivery].
Signatures
Defendant Signature: ____________________________ Date: _________
Printed Name: _________________________________________
Defendant Attorney (if applicable): ________________________ Date: _________
Printed Name: _________________________________________
Details
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Answer to Complaint Template
ANSWER TO COMPLAINT FAQ
What is an Answer to Complaint?
An Answer to Complaint is a formal written response filed by a defendant in a lawsuit, addressing each allegation made in the plaintiff’s complaint and setting forth any defenses.
Why is an Answer to Complaint important?
It preserves the defendant’s legal rights by preventing a default judgment and ensures that the defendant’s side of the case is formally entered into the court record.
When should you file an Answer to Complaint?
An Answer must typically be filed within a specific period after being served with the complaint, often 20–30 days, depending on jurisdiction. Failure to file on time can result in losing the case by default.
What should an Answer to Complaint include?
It should include admissions or denials of each allegation, affirmative defenses, potential counterclaims, and a request for relief such as dismissal of the case or attorney’s fees.
Can you include defenses in the Answer?
Yes, affirmative defenses such as statute of limitations, lack of jurisdiction, or failure to state a claim can be included to strengthen the defense strategy.
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