100-00268 Summons (01/2018) Page 1 of 2
SUMMONS
THIS SUMMONS IS DIRECTED TO_________________________________________________________
1. YOU ARE BEING SUED. The Plaintiff has started a lawsuit against you. The Plaintiff's Complaint against you
is attached to this summons. Do not throw these papers away. They are official papers that affect your
rights.
2. YOU MUST REPLY WITHIN 21* DAYS TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS. You must give or mail the Plaintiff a
written response called an Answer within 21* days of the date on which you received this Summons. You
must send a copy of your Answer to the [Plaintiff][Plaintiff's attorney] located
at:______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
You must also give or mail your Answer to the Court located at:
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
3. YOU MUST RESPOND TO EACH CLAIM. The Answer is your written response to the Plaintiff's Complaint. In
your Answer you must state whether you agree or disagree with each paragraph of the Complaint. If you
believe the Plaintiff should not be given everything asked for in the Complaint, you must say so in your
Answer.
4. YOU WILL LOSE YOUR CASE IF YOU DO NOT GIVE YOUR WRITTEN ANSWER TO THE COURT. If you do not
Answer within 21* days and file it with the Court, you will lose this case. You will not get to tell your side
of the story, and the Court may decide against you and award the Plaintiff everything asked for in the
complaint.
5. YOU MUST MAKE ANY CLAIMS AGAINST THE PLAINTIFF IN YOUR REPLY. Your Answer must state any
related legal claims you have against the Plaintiff. Your claims against the Plaintiff are called
Counterclaims. If you do not make your Counterclaims in writing in your Answer, you may not be able to
bring them up at all. Even if you have insurance and the insurance company will defend you, you must still
file any Counterclaims you may have.
6. LEGAL ASSISTANCE. You may wish to get legal help from a lawyer. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you should
ask the court clerk for information about places where you can get free legal help. Even if you cannot get
legal help, you must still give the Court a written Answer to protect your rights or you may lose the case.