How to answer a debt lawsuit in Missouri

Your deadline, the official form if there is one, fees and defenses, and the steps to file your answer.

Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026.

Short answer

Associate circuit case (most debt cases): by the date on your summons. Circuit judge case: 30 days. File any written affirmative defenses, counterclaims or answer with the circuit clerk in the county where you were sued, send a copy to the plaintiff's lawyer, and go to court on the return date.

Time to answer
30 days
Official answer form
No official form found

The answer deadline in Missouri, court by court

  • Associate circuit case (most debt cases): by the date on your summons.
  • Circuit judge case: 30 days.

Associate circuit case (most debt cases): be in court on the return date and time on your summons. You do not have to file a written answer, but any affirmative defenses (such as the statute of limitations) or counterclaims must be filed in writing by that return date and time, unless the court allows later filing. Circuit judge case: file a written answer within 30 days after you are served (or within 30 days after the mail receipt or acknowledgment is filed, if you were served by mail).

Law: RSMo § 517.031.2; Mo. Sup. Ct. R. 55.25(a)

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Count your exact deadline

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 you can raise in Missouri

In associate circuit cases, all statements in the petition are treated as denied even if you file nothing, but affirmative defenses, such as the statute of limitations, must be filed in writing by the return date. The limit is 10 years for an action on a writing promising to pay money and 5 years for other contracts.

Law: RSMo § 517.031.2; RSMo §§ 516.110(1), 516.120(1)

In Missouri, the time limit to sue on a written contract is 10 years. A debt older than that can be a defense, but you must raise it in your answer.

Debt buyer lawsuits in Missouri: the full rules

How you must be served in Missouri

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

The sheriff or a non-party adult (18 or older) must deliver the summons and petition to you personally, or leave them at your home with someone 18 or older who lives there, or give them to your authorized agent. You can also sign a written acknowledgment of service, including by mail.

Law: Mo. Sup. Ct. R. 54.13(a)-(c); R. 54.16

What an answer is and how to file it in Missouri

File any written affirmative defenses, counterclaims or answer with the circuit clerk in the county where you were sued, send a copy to the plaintiff's lawyer, and go to court on the return date.

What to do now in Missouri

  1. Check the court papers

    The summons names the court, the case number and the lawyer suing you. Keep it safe.

  2. Note your last day

    Missouri's rule: Associate circuit case (most debt cases): by the date on your summons; Circuit judge case: 30 days.

  3. Write and file your answer

    Give it to the clerk, mail a copy to the plaintiff's lawyer and keep one for yourself.

  4. Request the debt 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)

Free help in Missouri

Questions about answering in Missouri

How many days do I get to answer in Missouri?

Associate circuit case (most debt cases): be in court on the return date and time on your summons. You do not have to file a written answer, but any affirmative defenses (such as the statute of limitations) or counterclaims must be filed in writing by that return date and time, unless the court allows later filing. Circuit judge case: file a written answer within 30 days after you are served (or within 30 days after the mail receipt or acknowledgment is filed, if you were served by mail).

What do I file to answer in Missouri?

File any written affirmative defenses, counterclaims or answer with the circuit clerk in the county where you were sued, send a copy to the plaintiff's lawyer, and go to court on the return date.

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Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

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