How to answer a debt lawsuit in Pennsylvania
Deadlines by court, filing, fees and defenses, with a calculator.
Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026.
Short answer
Magisterial District Court: no written answer, but go to court on the date set. Court of Common Pleas: 20 days. Magisterial District Court: complete the Notice of Intent to Defend form that comes with the complaint (or send a signed statement with the same content) and return it to the court, then attend the hearing.
- Time to answer
- 20 days
- Official answer form
- No official form found
Your deadline to answer in Pennsylvania
- Magisterial District Court: no written answer, but go to court on the date set.
- Court of Common Pleas: 20 days.
Magisterial District Court: no written answer is required. If you want to defend, notify the court in writing (the Notice of Intent to Defend form) and go to the hearing, which is set 12 to 60 days after filing. A claim of your own against the plaintiff must be filed at least 5 days before the hearing. Court of Common Pleas: file a written answer within 20 days after you are served with a complaint that has a Notice to Defend.
Law: Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 305, 315, 318; Pa.R.C.P. 1026(a)
In nearby states
- Maryland: 15 days
- District of Columbia: 21 days
- New Jersey: 35 days
- Delaware: 15 days
Count your exact deadline
Service of the court papers in Pennsylvania
Service means officially getting the court papers. Your deadline usually starts that day.
Magisterial District Court: service must be made at least 10 days before the hearing, by the sheriff or a certified constable handing the complaint to you, to an adult family member or the person in charge at your home, or at your office; or, if the plaintiff chooses, by certified mail with a return receipt signed by you or one of those persons.
Law: Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 307, 308
How to file your answer in Pennsylvania
Magisterial District Court: complete the Notice of Intent to Defend form that comes with the complaint (or send a signed statement with the same content) and return it to the court, then attend the hearing. Common Pleas: file a written answer with the prothonotary and serve a copy on the plaintiff's lawyer.
Defenses to know in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's time limit to sue on a contract, written or not, is 4 years. In Common Pleas, a claim based on a writing (such as a credit card agreement) must attach a copy, or say why it cannot and describe it.
Law: 42 Pa.C.S. § 5525(a); Pa.R.C.P. 1019(i)
Pennsylvania allows 4 years to sue on a written contract. If the debt is older, say so in your answer: the court usually won't raise it for you.
Court fees in Pennsylvania
If you can't pay the fees
Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis.
What to do now in Pennsylvania
Read the papers
Find the court, the case number and the plaintiff's lawyer on the summons.
Count the days
In Pennsylvania: Magisterial District Court: no written answer, but go to court on the date set; Court of Common Pleas: 20 days.
Answer in writing
The clerk takes your answer; the plaintiff's lawyer gets a copy; you keep a copy.
Ask for the documents
A documents request letter asks for the contract and proof of ownership.
Talk to legal aid
Legal aid can help for free: Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network – find free legal aid and Pennsylvania Bar Association lawyer referral.
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 Pennsylvania
Questions about answering in Pennsylvania
How long do I have to answer a debt lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
Magisterial District Court: no written answer is required. If you want to defend, notify the court in writing (the Notice of Intent to Defend form) and go to the hearing, which is set 12 to 60 days after filing. A claim of your own against the plaintiff must be filed at least 5 days before the hearing. Court of Common Pleas: file a written answer within 20 days after you are served with a complaint that has a Notice to Defend.
How do I file an answer in Pennsylvania?
Magisterial District Court: complete the Notice of Intent to Defend form that comes with the complaint (or send a signed statement with the same content) and return it to the court, then attend the hearing. Common Pleas: file a written answer with the prothonotary and serve a copy on the plaintiff's lawyer.
What if I can't afford the court fees in Pennsylvania?
Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis.
Related Pennsylvania pages
Sources
- Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 305, 315, 318; Pa.R.C.P. 1026(a)
- 42 Pa.C.S. § 1515 (MDJ jurisdiction $12,000)
- Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 307 (service)
- Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 308 (service on individuals)
- Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 319 (failure to appear)
- Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 1002 (appeal within 30 days)
- Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 1004 (praecipe for rule to file complaint on appeal)
- Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 1005, 1006 (service of appeal; striking appeal)
- Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 406, 408 (levy; exemptions)
- Pa.R.C.P. 1026 (20 days to plead)
- Pa.R.C.P. 1019 (attach writing)
- Pa.R.C.P. 237.1 (10-day notice)
- Pa.R.C.P. 237.3 (opening a default)
- Pa.R.C.P. 3123.1 (claim for exemption)
- 42 Pa.C.S. § 8101 (interest on judgments)
- Act 6 of 1974, § 202 (6% legal rate)
- 42 Pa.C.S. § 5526 (5 years: revival of lien)
- 42 Pa.C.S. § 5529 (20 years: execution)
- 42 Pa.C.S. § 5525 (statute of limitations)
Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.