How to answer a debt lawsuit in Vermont

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

Small claims, papers came by first-class mail: 30 days. Small claims, served by a sheriff or constable: 30 days. Regular civil case: 21 days. Small claims: fill out the Small Claims Answer (form 100-00126), file it with the court by email, mail or hand delivery, send a copy to the plaintiff the same day, and file a Certificate of Service (form 100-00260).

Time to answer
21 days
Official answer form
Small Claims Answer (form 100-00126)
Fee to answer
Small claims counterclaim fee: $25 if you ask for $500 or less, $35 if more (Vermont Judiciary, form 100-00259).

Your deadline to answer in Vermont

  • Small claims, papers came by first-class mail: 30 days.
  • Small claims, served by a sheriff or constable: 30 days.
  • Regular civil case: 21 days.

Small claims: 30 days. If the papers came by first-class mail, file your answer within 30 days of the mailing; if a sheriff or constable served you, within 30 days of that service. Regular civil case: give or mail your written Answer within 21 days of the date you received the Summons (unless the court sets a different time).

Law: Small Claims Information and Instructions for Defendant (form 100-00259, 08/2025); Summons (form 100-00268)

In nearby states

Work out your answer date

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.

Filing an answer in Vermont

Small claims: fill out the Small Claims Answer (form 100-00126), file it with the court by email, mail or hand delivery, send a copy to the plaintiff the same day, and file a Certificate of Service (form 100-00260). You can say you disagree, agree and ask to pay in installments, and mark that your income may be exempt. Regular civil case: send your Answer to the plaintiff (or its lawyer) and to the court, and file the Notice of Appearance form.

Fill in Vermont's official answer form: a helper

Start with the official form: Small Claims Answer (form 100-00126)

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

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What to put on the official form

Defenses to know in Vermont

The time limit to sue on most contract debts is 6 years. In a credit card case, a default judgment requires the signed contract (or card-use statement) and the full chain of assignments (V.R.C.P. 55(c)(7)).

Law: 12 V.S.A. § 511

A written-contract debt in Vermont must be sued on within 6 years. Raise an older debt as a defense in your answer.

Debt buyer lawsuits in Vermont: the full rules

What answering costs in Vermont

Fee to answer

Small claims counterclaim fee: $25 if you ask for $500 or less, $35 if more (Vermont Judiciary, form 100-00259).

If you can't pay the fees

Application to Waive Filing Fees and Service Costs (form 600-00228). https://www.vtcourts.gov/self-help/application-waive-filing-fees-and-service-costs

How you must be served in Vermont

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

In small claims, the plaintiff first mails the summons, complaint and blank answer forms to you by first-class mail. If you do not answer within 30 days, the plaintiff must have a sheriff or constable serve you.

Law: Vermont Judiciary – Suing and Being Sued (Small Claims)

Mediation and settlement in Vermont

Most regular civil division cases must go to mediation (the parties file a stipulation for mediation within 30 days after the last answer). Small claims cases are not required to mediate (V.R.C.P. 16.3).

What to do now in Vermont

  1. Read the papers

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

  2. Mark your deadline

    Your deadline in Vermont: Small claims, papers came by first-class mail: 30 days; Small claims, served by a sheriff or constable: 30 days; Regular civil case: 21 days.

  3. Write and file your answer

    The court's own form: Small Claims Answer (form 100-00126).

  4. Make them show the paperwork

    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 legal help in Vermont

Questions about answering in Vermont

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

Small claims: 30 days. If the papers came by first-class mail, file your answer within 30 days of the mailing; if a sheriff or constable served you, within 30 days of that service. Regular civil case: give or mail your written Answer within 21 days of the date you received the Summons (unless the court sets a different time).

How do I file an answer in Vermont?

Small claims: fill out the Small Claims Answer (form 100-00126), file it with the court by email, mail or hand delivery, send a copy to the plaintiff the same day, and file a Certificate of Service (form 100-00260). You can say you disagree, agree and ask to pay in installments, and mark that your income may be exempt. Regular civil case: send your Answer to the plaintiff (or its lawyer) and to the court, and file the Notice of Appearance form.

Where is Vermont's answer form?

Small Claims Answer (form 100-00126): https://www.vtcourts.gov/media/35

Is there a fee to answer in Vermont?

Small claims counterclaim fee: $25 if you ask for $500 or less, $35 if more (Vermont Judiciary, form 100-00259).

Can Vermont courts waive my fees?

Application to Waive Filing Fees and Service Costs (form 600-00228). https://www.vtcourts.gov/self-help/application-waive-filing-fees-and-service-costs

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Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources
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