The defendant or respondent has a time limit to answer the claims in the complaint or petition. The amount of time is not the same for every case because it matters how the legal papers are delivered and what kind of case it is.
The answer explains the defendant or respondent’s side of the story. It says which statements the defendant or respondent disagrees with and tells the court any defenses and claims that the defendant or respondent has.
Instead of answering, the defendant or respondent can ask the court to dismiss the case by making a motion.
If the defendant or respondent does not answer in time or make a motion, the plaintiff or petitioner can ask the court for a Default Judgment. A default judgment can give the plaintiff or petitioner what he or she wants because the defendant did not tell his or her side of the story.
After the Answer is filed, the case continues with the next step. Different things can happen, like you may get a trial date, or you and the other side start to exchange information (discovery).
Need More Help?
Use our contact options to locate courts, legal services, attorneys, legal clinics, libraries and legal events in your area and around Colorado.