How to answer a debt lawsuit in Alaska

Deadlines by court, filing, fees and defenses, with a calculator.

Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026.

Short answer

District Court and small claims: 20 days. Fill out the answer form, make 2 copies, mail or hand one copy to the plaintiff's lawyer (or the plaintiff), fill in the Certificate of Service, and file the original with the court location named on the summons.

Time to answer
20 days
Official answer form
Answer & Counterclaim to Complaint to Collect a Debt (CIV-481); in small claims, Small Claims Answer (SC-3)
Fee to answer
The court's fee page says there are no additional fees once a case has been opened (other than copies and similar services), and the fee schedule lists no fee for filing an answer.

Your deadline to answer in Alaska

  • District Court and small claims: 20 days.

20 days after you are served with the summons and complaint (district court and small claims). Count every day. If the last day is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, it is due the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday. A Friday deadline does not move.

Law: Alaska R. Civ. P. 6(a), 12(a); Alaska District Court Civil Rule 12(a); Alaska Admin. Rule 9

In nearby states

Your last day to answer

The date is counted in your browser.

The court's name is at the top of your summons.

An estimate from our state data, not legal advice. Court holidays and local rules can change a deadline. File early, and ask the court clerk if you are not sure.

Defenses to know in Alaska

The court's answer form lists common defenses you can check: not your debt; wrong amount; the plaintiff cannot prove it owns the debt (debt buyer); the 3-year statute of limitations for contracts has run; the debt was already decided in another case; bankruptcy; improper sale of collateral; payday lender skipped required steps before suing; bounced-check notice not given; and active military service. You can also bring a counterclaim, for example under the Alaska Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act or the federal FDCPA.

Law: AS 09.10.053; AS 45.29.610, 45.29.614; AS 06.50.550; AS 09.68.115; AS 45.50.531(a)

In Alaska, the time limit to sue on a written contract is 3 years. A debt older than that can be a defense, but you must raise it in your answer.

Debt buyer lawsuits in Alaska: the full rules

Fill in Alaska's official answer form: a helper

Start with the official form: Answer & Counterclaim to Complaint to Collect a Debt (CIV-481); in small claims, Small Claims Answer (SC-3)

This helper is not a court form and does not file anything. It lists what to copy onto the official form, in plain words.

Which of these are true? (optional)
What to put on the official form

Court fees in Alaska

Fee to answer

The court's fee page says there are no additional fees once a case has been opened (other than copies and similar services), and the fee schedule lists no fee for filing an answer.

Law: Admin. Rule 9

If you can't pay the fees

Request for Exemption from Payment of Fees (TF-920): https://courts.alaska.gov/shc/courtfees.htm

How you must be served in Alaska

Service means officially getting the court papers. Your deadline usually starts that day.

The summons and complaint must be delivered to you personally by a peace officer, process server or other authorized person, or mailed to you by registered or certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested. Mail service is complete when you sign the return receipt.

Law: Alaska R. Civ. P. 4(c), 4(d), 4(h)

Mediation and settlement in Alaska

The Anchorage District Court offers free mediation by trained volunteers in small claims cases, on the morning the case is set for trial. In formal cases, the judge may ask whether the parties want mediation or a settlement conference.

Filing an answer in Alaska

Fill out the answer form, make 2 copies, mail or hand one copy to the plaintiff's lawyer (or the plaintiff), fill in the Certificate of Service, and file the original with the court location named on the summons.

What to do now in Alaska

  1. Read the papers

    Write down the court, the case number and who is suing you.

  2. Count the days

    Alaska's rule: District Court and small claims: 20 days.

  4. Ask for the documents

    Use a documents request letter to see what they can prove.

Federal rules in every state

  • Where a collector must sue. A debt collector that sues you over a consumer debt must file where you signed the contract or where you live when the suit starts. Law: 15 U.S.C. 1692i(a)(2)
  • Old debts. A debt collector must not sue you, or threaten to sue you, on a debt that is too old to sue on. Law: 12 CFR 1006.26(b)

Where to get free help in Alaska

Questions about answering in Alaska

How long do I have to answer a debt lawsuit in Alaska?

20 days after you are served with the summons and complaint (district court and small claims). Count every day. If the last day is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, it is due the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday. A Friday deadline does not move.

How do I file an answer in Alaska?

Fill out the answer form, make 2 copies, mail or hand one copy to the plaintiff's lawyer (or the plaintiff), fill in the Certificate of Service, and file the original with the court location named on the summons.

Does Alaska have a court answer form?

Answer & Counterclaim to Complaint to Collect a Debt (CIV-481); in small claims, Small Claims Answer (SC-3): https://public.courts.alaska.gov/web/forms/docs/civ-481.pdf

What does it cost to answer in Alaska?

The court's fee page says there are no additional fees once a case has been opened (other than copies and similar services), and the fee schedule lists no fee for filing an answer.

What if I can't afford the court fees in Alaska?

Request for Exemption from Payment of Fees (TF-920): https://courts.alaska.gov/shc/courtfees.htm

More for Alaska

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources
Count my deadline