How do I reply to a notice about a lawsuit?
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How do I reply to a notice about a lawsuit?
My wife and I received a notification in the mail that there is a lawsuit entered against us in another state. We have been trying to find out who to reply to within the 20 day period but we have not been able to get any information.
Asked on October 16, 2011 under Accident Law, Florida
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
The best way to respond about a lawsuit that was mailed to you before a default is entered against you (you lose by failing to respond to it) is to hire a lawyer to represent you. It is difficuly to defend yourself in a lawsuit in your own state if you are not a lawyer but the challenge is even greater when the lawsuit is venued in another state.
As to the lawsuit that you have been served with, try going online regarding the county and state where it was filed. The court system may allow access to you that way as opposed to having to drive to the courthouse where the lawsuit was filed and pulling the court file against you.
The way to respond to the lawsuit is to answer it typically by denying the claims and setting forth affirmative defenses. The answer needs to be served upon the plaintiff's attorney and filed with the court. There are forms or templates to follow that you can review online or better yet, you can go down to your county law library and get a form from various law book guides.
Good luck.
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