Debt lawsuits
Sued for a debt in New Jersey? You have 35 days to answer
Overview
Most debt lawsuits in New Jersey are filed in the Special Civil Part, and many end in a default judgment because nobody answered. Here's the deadline, the fee and the steps, from the court's own guides.
From the New Jersey Courts' Special Civil Part guide and FAQ. (court guide, FAQ)
Find your deadline
You have 35 days from the day the complaint was served on you to file a written answer. Count from the service date, not the date on the papers. If you don't answer, the court may enter a judgment by default.
Get free help first
Legal Services of New Jersey and county legal aid programs help people who qualify. Call before the deadline gets close. (LSNJ)
Fill in the answer
The courts publish an answer form for Special Civil Part. (court form) We don't fill it in or tell you what to say; that's where legal aid or a lawyer helps.
File it and pay the fee
File with the Special Civil Part office in the county where the case was filed: online through JEDS, by mail, or in person. The fee is $30 for an answer, or $50 or $75 with a counterclaim. If you can't afford it, you can ask the judge to waive fees.
Send a copy to the other side
Mail a copy to the plaintiff's attorney by regular mail, or hand-deliver it. If the plaintiff has no attorney, use regular and certified mail. Keep proof.
Go to court on the date you're given
Bring your papers, any payment records and the letters you've received. Many cases settle in the hallway with the plaintiff's attorney before the judge hears them.
Where we come in
If you can't get to the courthouse, we'll file your answer at the Special Civil Part window, pay the court fee at cost, and send you the stamped copy the same day. We file what you give us. We don't give legal advice or review what it says. Court filing · Going to court without a lawyer
Printable kit
Handle It Yourself: NJ Court Paperwork Kit
A court-day checklist, a case log for every date and paper, and filing checklists with the court's fees, for people handling a case without a lawyer.
General information, checked November 2026. Not legal advice. MCC Solutions is not a law firm.
Questions
How long do I have to answer a debt lawsuit in New Jersey?
35 days from the date you were served, for Special Civil Part cases, according to the New Jersey Courts. Check the summons for your exact deadline.
How much does it cost to file an answer?
$30 for an answer in Special Civil Part, $50 with a counterclaim of $5,000 or less, $75 above that. The judge can waive fees if you can't afford them.
What happens if I ignore the summons?
The court may enter a default judgment, which can lead to wage garnishment or a bank levy. Answering keeps your chance to be heard.
Can you tell me what to write in my answer?
No. We're not lawyers and don't give legal advice. Legal Services of New Jersey, county legal aid or a lawyer can.