Sued in Connecticut? Your summons sets your deadline
Small claims: by the date on your summons. Regular civil docket (appearance): 2 days after the return date.
Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026. · Free letters and forms ↓
Count your answer deadline in Connecticut
Pick your court and the day you were served (got the court papers). We show the last day to answer and what to do next.
Connecticut guides by topic
How to answer in Connecticut
Your deadline by court, the official form, fees and defenses.
Default judgment in Connecticut
What a default means and how to set it aside, with a calculator.
After a judgment in Connecticut
Wage garnishment, bank levies and how to claim an exemption.
Debt buyer lawsuits in Connecticut
What a debt buyer must prove, and old debts as a defense.
Which court hears debt cases in Connecticut
Superior Court, Small Claims Session
Most debt suits up to $5,000 are filed here. A magistrate usually decides them. You can ask to move the case to the regular docket.
Law: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 51-15(d); Conn. Practice Book § 24-21
Superior Court (regular civil docket)
Debt suits over $5,000, and small claims cases moved to the regular docket.
Law: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 51-15(d)
How to answer in Connecticut
- How to answer
Small claims: fill out the Answer form, file it with the clerk by mail, fax, hand delivery or E-Services, and send a copy to the plaintiff or its lawyer. You do not go to court on the answer date. If you dispute the debt, check the box and explain why. Regular docket: file an Appearance form, then a written answer.
- Official answer form
- Answer - Small Claims (JD-CV-40A1)
- Fee to answer
The court fee list sets no fee for a small claims answer. A counterclaim costs $95 and a motion to move the case to the regular docket costs $125.
- If you can't pay the fees
Application for Waiver of Fees/Payment of Costs - Civil, Housing, Small Claims (JD-CV-120): https://www.jud.ct.gov/webforms/forms/cv120.pdf
- How you must be served
Small claims: the plaintiff serves you by priority mail with delivery confirmation, certified mail, a courier with delivery confirmation, or a state marshal. Regular civil cases: a marshal leaves a copy with you or at your home.
Law: Conn. Practice Book § 24-10(a); Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-57(a)
Law: Conn. Practice Book §§ 24-10(c), 24-16, 3-2, 10-8; Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-259
Defenses to know in Connecticut
- Defenses in Connecticut law
In small claims, a plaintiff collecting a consumer debt must explain why the statute of limitations has not expired. Most contract and account debts have a 6-year limit. If the plaintiff did not attach the contract or the chain of title, the court should not enter judgment without a hearing.
Law: Conn. Practice Book § 24-24(b)(1)(B); Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-576; §§ 24-24, 17-25
- Debt buyer lawsuits
- To get a judgment without a hearing when you do not answer, the plaintiff must file an affidavit of debt with an itemization of interest and fees. Debt buyer lawsuits in Connecticut: the full rules
- Time limit to sue (written contract)
- 6 years · More on old debts at Debt Collector Map
If you missed the deadline in Connecticut
A default judgment means the court decides against you because you didn't answer. You may be able to ask the court to set it aside (cancel it), but time limits are short.
- What happens
Small claims: if you do not answer by the answer date, you get a notice of default and the magistrate can enter judgment without a hearing if the plaintiff filed the required affidavits. If you file an answer before a default judgment is entered, the default is erased automatically. Regular docket: if you do not file an appearance, the plaintiff can move for default and judgment.
- How to set it aside (cancel it)
File a Motion to Open Judgment (JD-CV-51 in small claims; $75 fee in small claims, $130 on the regular docket). You generally have 4 months from the date the notice of judgment was sent. You must show a good reason you did not appear and that you have a defense. In small claims, a default judgment can also be opened within 4 months after an execution was levied, or any time if you never got actual notice.
Law: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 52-212, 52-212a; Conn. Practice Book §§ 17-20, 17-43, 24-25, 24-31
Count your deadline to set aside a default
Mediation and settlement in Connecticut
Small claims cases may get a remote settlement conference with a court mediation specialist before the hearing.
If there is a judgment in Connecticut
A judgment is the court's decision that you owe money. Then the creditor can ask the court to take money from your pay or bank account.
- Interest after the judgment
The court may award interest of up to 10% a year. For debts from hospital services, the cap is 5% a year and interest is up to the court.
- How long it lasts
Small claims judgment: can be enforced by execution for 10 years. Other civil judgments: 20 years. A motion to revive can be filed before the time runs out, but it cannot extend these limits.
Law: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 37-3a, 52-598
Garnishment, bank levy and exemptions in Connecticut
Exempt means protected by law: money or property the creditor can't take. Often you must claim it yourself, fast.
- Wage garnishment (taking part of your pay)
No more than 25% of your disposable earnings, or the amount above 40 times the higher of the federal or Connecticut minimum wage per week, whichever is less.
Law: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-361a(f)
- Bank levy (freezing and taking money in your bank account)
A marshal serves a financial institution execution on your bank. The bank freezes the money and mails you the execution and an exemption claim form, then holds the money for 15 days. Up to $1,000 is protected under the $1,000 any-property exemption, and direct deposits of Social Security, VA, unemployment and child support stay protected in full.
Law: §§ 52-367b, 52-352b(18)
- How to claim an exemption
Bank: return the Exemption Claim Form (JD-CV-24A) to the bank no later than 15 days after it was mailed to you. The bank holds the money and the clerk sets a hearing. Wages: file the Exemption and Modification Claim Form (JD-CV-3a) with the court; if it arrives within 20 days after the employer was served, nothing is withheld until the court decides. Personal property: return the claim (JD-CV-5b) within 20 days after the levy.
- Exemption form
- https://www.jud.ct.gov/webforms/forms/cv024a.pdf
Law: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 52-361b(d), 52-367b; forms JD-CV-24A, JD-CV-3a
These garnishment limits are from our sister site, which checks them against official sources: Debt Collector Map: Connecticut
Count your deadline to claim an exemption
Free help in Connecticut
- CTLawHelp (legal aid, LawHelp network)
- Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut
- Find free legal help at LawHelp.org
Court self-help
Free letters and forms
Ask the plaintiff's lawyer for the debt documents
The contract, the chain of ownership and an itemization of what they claim.
Help filling in Connecticut's official answer form
Link to the official form and what to write on it.
Exemption claim cover letter
A letter to the court clerk to file with your exemption claim form.
Good to know in Connecticut
- A debt buyer must show the chain of ownership back to the original creditor before the court gives it a judgment without a hearing (Conn. Practice Book §§ 17-25, 24-24).
- If you file a small claims answer any time before a default judgment is entered, the default is vacated automatically (Conn. Practice Book § 24-25).
- Hospital debt judgments carry no more than 5% interest (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 37-3a(b)).
Changes in 2024–2026
The small claims Answer form (JD-CV-40A1) and the Motion to Open form (JD-CV-51) were revised in January 2026, and the How Small Claims Court Works booklet in March 2026.
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)
- Before a default judgment. Before the court gives the plaintiff a default judgment, the plaintiff must file a sworn statement saying whether you are in military service. Law: 50 U.S.C. 3931(b)(1)
- Your pay. For an ordinary debt, a creditor can take at most 25% of your take-home pay, or the part above 30 times the federal minimum wage if that is less. Many states protect more. Law: 15 U.S.C. 1673(a)
- Federal benefits in the bank. Your bank must protect up to two months of Social Security, SSI, VA and some other federal benefits that were paid into your account by direct deposit. You don't have to ask. Law: 31 CFR 212.5, 212.6
Questions about debt lawsuits in Connecticut
How long do I have to answer a debt lawsuit in Connecticut?
Small claims: by the answer date printed on the Answer form the court mails you. Regular civil docket: file an appearance on or before the second day after the return date on your summons; pleadings then must move forward within 30 days of the return date.
How do I answer a debt lawsuit in Connecticut?
Small claims: fill out the Answer form, file it with the clerk by mail, fax, hand delivery or E-Services, and send a copy to the plaintiff or its lawyer. You do not go to court on the answer date. If you dispute the debt, check the box and explain why. Regular docket: file an Appearance form, then a written answer.
Is there an official answer form in Connecticut?
Answer - Small Claims (JD-CV-40A1): https://www.jud.ct.gov/webforms/forms/cv040a1.pdf
Does it cost money to answer in Connecticut?
The court fee list sets no fee for a small claims answer. A counterclaim costs $95 and a motion to move the case to the regular docket costs $125.
What if I can't afford the court fees in Connecticut?
Application for Waiver of Fees/Payment of Costs - Civil, Housing, Small Claims (JD-CV-120): https://www.jud.ct.gov/webforms/forms/cv120.pdf
What happens if I don't answer in Connecticut?
Small claims: if you do not answer by the answer date, you get a notice of default and the magistrate can enter judgment without a hearing if the plaintiff filed the required affidavits. If you file an answer before a default judgment is entered, the default is erased automatically. Regular docket: if you do not file an appearance, the plaintiff can move for default and judgment.
Can I cancel a default judgment in Connecticut?
File a Motion to Open Judgment (JD-CV-51 in small claims; $75 fee in small claims, $130 on the regular docket). You generally have 4 months from the date the notice of judgment was sent. You must show a good reason you did not appear and that you have a defense. In small claims, a default judgment can also be opened within 4 months after an execution was levied, or any time if you never got actual notice.
How much interest does a judgment add in Connecticut?
The court may award interest of up to 10% a year. For debts from hospital services, the cap is 5% a year and interest is up to the court.
How long does a judgment last in Connecticut?
Small claims judgment: can be enforced by execution for 10 years. Other civil judgments: 20 years. A motion to revive can be filed before the time runs out, but it cannot extend these limits.
Can my wages be garnished in Connecticut?
No more than 25% of your disposable earnings, or the amount above 40 times the higher of the federal or Connecticut minimum wage per week, whichever is less.
Can a creditor take money from my bank account in Connecticut?
A marshal serves a financial institution execution on your bank. The bank freezes the money and mails you the execution and an exemption claim form, then holds the money for 15 days. Up to $1,000 is protected under the $1,000 any-property exemption, and direct deposits of Social Security, VA, unemployment and child support stay protected in full.
How do I claim an exemption in Connecticut?
Bank: return the Exemption Claim Form (JD-CV-24A) to the bank no later than 15 days after it was mailed to you. The bank holds the money and the clerk sets a hearing. Wages: file the Exemption and Modification Claim Form (JD-CV-3a) with the court; if it arrives within 20 days after the employer was served, nothing is withheld until the court decides. Personal property: return the claim (JD-CV-5b) within 20 days after the levy.
More help on our sister sites
Sources
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 51-15 (small claims limit)
- Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 52-212, 52-212a (opening judgments)
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-598 and § 52-576 (judgment life; SOL)
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 37-3a (interest)
- Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 52-356a, 52-361b, 52-367b (executions, exemption claims)
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-57 (service)
- Connecticut Practice Book 2026
- Small Claims FAQ
- How Small Claims Court Works (JDP-CV-45)
- Answer - Small Claims (JD-CV-40A1)
- Motion to Open Judgment (JD-CV-51)
- Exemption Claim Form, Financial Institution Execution (JD-CV-24A)
- Exemption and Modification Claim Form, Wage Execution (JD-CV-3a)
- Application for Waiver of Fees (JD-CV-120)
- Superior Court fee schedule
Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.
- Venue for debt collection suits, 15 U.S.C. 1692i
- Time-barred debts, 12 CFR 1006.26 (Regulation F)
- Default judgments and servicemembers, 50 U.S.C. 3931
- Restrictions on garnishment, 15 U.S.C. 1673
- Federal benefit payments in bank accounts, 31 CFR part 212
- CFPB: What should I do if I'm sued by a debt collector or creditor?