N
The Daily Insight Hub

How do I respond to a summons collection?

Author

Isabella Turner

Updated on February 11, 2026

Here’s how to respond to a court summons for credit card debt:

  1. Don’t ignore it. If you do this, the court will simply rule in the issuer or debt collector’s favor.
  2. Try to work things out.
  3. Answer the summons.
  4. Consult an attorney.
  5. Go to court.
  6. Respond to the ruling.

How do you respond to a civil summons in NC?

You can respond by filing either an Answer document or a Motion; usually an Answer is sufficient and more straightforward in a debt collection lawsuit. If you fail to respond within the 30 day period you will lose the case by inaction, and the court will file a default judgment against you.

Does the plaintiff have to respond to an answer?

The plaintiff must give you responses to your request for admissions within 30 days. You do not need to do anything if you do not get a response. The plaintiff has 30 days to deny or object to the statements.

How long is a civil summons good for in NC?

within 60 days
Timing of service and extension of summons. Service of the summons under North Carolina Rule of Civil Procedure 4(j) and (j1) must be made within 60 days after the summons is issued. Rule 4(c).

Where do I file an answer to a civil court summons?

Take your answer to the clerk’s office. You must file your answer with the clerk of the same court in which the plaintiff filed the lawsuit against you. If you’ve already served the plaintiff with a copy of your answer, you can attach your certificate of service to your answer when you file it with the clerk.

What to do if you don’t respond to a summons?

You’ll need to serve a copy of your answer on the plaintiff and attach a certificate of service to the answer to prove that the answer has been received. Then file the documents at the courthouse. Make sure to keep a copy of the answer, too. What if I Don’t Respond? Let’s say you get a civil complaint and don’t respond to it.

Do you have to answer a civil summons for credit card debt?

If you settle the debt out of court, the creditors and their lawyers can withdraw the case. You can avoid the hassle of filing an answer formally with the court. If trying to reach a settlement does not work out or you decide you prefer to go to court, you must file an answer to the served summons.

How to respond to a civil law Self Help Center?

If you decided to file an answer or motion with the court, the Self-Help Center might have a form to help you. TIP! You’ll need to use the form for the correct court. Look at the summons and complaint you received. On the first page of the summons or complaint, there’s a “caption” (heading).