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How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in New Jersey

Written by Hannah Locklear · Fact-checked by George Simons, JD/MBA
Last updated on May 28, 2026

Summary: You have 35 days to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in New Jersey. To respond, you must draft and file a written Answer into your case. In your Answer, you should respond to each claim against you and assert your affirmative defenses. SoloSuit can help you draft and file your Answer in New Jersey in a matter of minutes. Keep reading to learn more.

What's so stressful about being sued by a debt collector? Grab some snacks, this may take awhile.

But seriously, even though being sued by a debt collector or debt collection law firm (especially those who specialize in buying and selling your debt) seems like the beginning of a long and scary road, it's actually full of shortcuts. And we brought the maps.

In this article, we will try to ease the pain of debt collection lawsuits and make the process of responding a little bit easier. We will give you the right roadmap to answer a summons for debt collection in New Jersey.

Before we begin, rest assured: you can fight, and you can win, your debt collection lawsuit. Now, let’s jump into everything you should know about how to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in New Jersey, including deadlines, fees, forms, and more.


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Table of Contents

Respond to your lawsuit before the New Jersey deadline

You have 35 days to respond to a debt lawsuit in New Jersey, according to N.J. Ct. R. 4:6(a), which states:

“(a) Time; Presentation. Except as otherwise provided by Rules 4:7-5(c) (crossclaims), 4:8-1(b) (third-party joinder), 4:9-1 (answer to amended complaint), and 4:64-1(i) (governmental answer in foreclosure actions), the defendant shall serve an answer, including therein any counterclaim, within 35 days after service of the summons and complaint on that defendant.”

Knowing which court has jurisdiction over your case will make responding much easier. Here are the following judicial divisions that oversee debt collection cases:

  • Law Division (Claims above $15,000)
  • Law Division, Special Civil Part (Claims between $3,000-$15,000)
  • Small Claims Court (Claims between $1-$3,000)

No matter which division your case is “venued” in, when you get sued for a debt in New Jersey, you only have 35 days to respond or you automatically lose your case through a process called “default” judgment. Debt collectors are hoping you will forget to respond or not know how to respond; don't give them the satisfaction!

As we said, the standard amount of time is the same, whether your case is for $1 or more than $15,000, and whether you case is given an “L” for Law Division, “DC” for Special Civil Part, or “SC” for Small Claims. Occasionally, and worth keeping in mind, is that if your case is in the Law Division with an “L” assigned to it, you may be able to request an extension of time from the Courts.

First, you have to ask your adversary, and if you ask nicely, the debt collector will probably grant the extension. Every little bit of time can provide you additional peace of mind as you prepare your response.

We'll show you some ways to respond below. With SoloSuit, you can generate your response in 15 minutes and we'll have an attorney review it and even file it for you.

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New Jersey Answer to Summons Templates

To respond to your debt collection lawsuit, you need to make an Answer document that responds to the Summons and Complaint you received.

The SoloSuit Answer form is the easiest way to generate a customized response to your debt lawsuit. All you have to do is respond to a series of questions about your case, and our software will create a personalized Answer for you that includes your responses to each claim and affirmative defenses.

Alternatively, you can use the New Jersey Answer to Summons forms listed on their judicial branch website:

Use the SoloSuit New Jersey Answer Form.

Answer Filing Fees for New Jersey

New Jersey courts charge a filing fee to file your Answer with them.

Sure, having to pay money to defend yourself on top of being sued is like being kicked when you're already down... But if you win your debt collection lawsuit, the minor cost of admission will be well worth it. Here are the filing fees you should expect in each division of the Courts:

Answer Filing Fees in New Jersey
Division Fee
Law Division $175
Special Civil Part $30
Small Claims $30
*Additional charges for a jury trial are only assessed in the Special Civil Part and Small Claims Division. There is no charge for requesting a jury in the Law Division. However, in all three divisions, you have the right to request a jury trial or waive a jury trial and choose a “bench trial” – where it's just you, the debt collector, and the judge.

Just like you can't pump your own gas in Jersey, you can't access the courts for free – what a racket! The pork roll sandwiches, however, are the best in the world.

Back to business - Let's consider an example to see how to use the New Jersey filing fee table above.

Example: Jeff is sued for $5,000 in the Special Civil Part in Hudson County Superior Court for failing to pay his overdue credit card bill. He's in Hudson County because he lives in Hoboken, and debt collectors will usually sue the debtor where they live. Since the amount in controversy, $5,000, is less than $15,000, Jeff needs to pay a $30 filing fee.


SoloSuit takes care of paying your filing fees for you.

Follow these steps to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in New Jersey

A lawsuit begins when you receive the court Summons and Complaint. The Summons notifies you of the case, while the Complaint lists the specific claims against you.

In most states, these documents need to be handed personally to someone at your home. However, these documents are frequently delivered incorrectly, a process called “sewer service”—something you can use as a defense (more on defenses to come).

Once you receive the Summons and Complaint, your clock starts ticking and you need to respond within 35 days or you will lose your case automatically.

To respond, you need to follow these three steps:

  1. Respond to each claim listed in the Complaint.
  2. Assert your affirmative defenses.
  3. File the Answer in court, and send a copy to the plaintiff’s attorney.

Let's check out each step in detail. You can also watch this video to learn more:

1. Respond to each claim listed in the Complaint

When drafting your Answer, you should primarily focus on responding to each claim against you.

The Complaint document includes several numbered paragraphs that lay out the lawsuit against you. For debt collection cases, there are usually between 10 and 30 numbered paragraphs, or claims. Sometimes these are broken into sections, such as “parties,” “jurisdiction” and “facts,” and sometimes they aren't. It's a matter of style really, and every attorney has their own preference.

But make sure to pay attention to the numbers, and to mirror them in each of your responses. You should reply to each claim with one of the following responses:

  • Admit: Admit the paragraph if you agree with everything in the paragraph.
  • Deny: Deny the paragraph if you disagree with anything in the paragraph.
  • Deny due to lack of knowledge: This is a lawyerly way of saying “I don't know.” Choose this option if you don't understand the paragraph or if you don't have the information needed to respond to it.

Choose one of these responses and write it into your Answer after the corresponding paragraph number. Many attorneys recommend making a general denial, where you deny everything in the Complaint and force the other side to prove everything. This is a good strategy in many cases.

2. Assert your affirmative defenses

An “affirmative defense” is a reason why the person suing you doesn't have a case; it is your defense against all or part of the lawsuit. You must list these defenses in your Answer, otherwise, you can't bring them up later. To put it in a lawyerly way, you are “barred from raising” the defenses if you don’t include them in your initial response. So you must speak now, or forever hold your peace.

SoloSuit helps you bring up the right defenses.

Here are some of the more common defenses we see:

  • The account with the debt is not your account.
  • The contract was already canceled and therefore you don't owe the creditor anything.
  • The Plaintiff acted in bad faith or with “unclean hands” in suing you.
  • The statute of limitations has expired. A statute of limitations is a law that sets a time limit on an action.
  • The debt has been paid or excused.
  • The debt has been settled for a different amount than the one in the Complaint.
  • The debt has been partially or fully paid, also known as “satisfied.”
  • You were a co-signer but were not informed of your rights as a co-signer.

These are a few of the many affirmative defenses out there. Unfortunately, being unable to pay the debt is not a legal defense to the debt.

3. File the Answer in court, and send a copy to the plaintiff’s attorney

Once you responded to each claim listed in the Complaint, and asserted your affirmative defenses, you are ready for the final step: file your Answer.

The Answer document by itself is worthless unless you file it properly. Otherwise, it's like painting a picture and immediately putting it into storage for no one to ever see. SoloSuit takes care of filing for you so you don't have to worry about buying a printer and figuring out whether you need Certified Mail, Priority Mail, First Class Mail, a Flat Rate Box or some other type of service from the Post Office.

Here's what you need to do to file your answer.

  • Print two copies of your Answer.
  • Mail one copy to the court.
  • Mail the other copy to the plaintiff's attorney.

SoloSuit files your Answer for you, in all 50 states.

The address for the attorney will be in the Summons and Complaint you received in the mail. But where is the address for the Court? Good question; most court documents don't list the mailing address of the Court. And the mailing address of the Civil Division is often different from the physical address of the Courthouse listed online for any number of reasons, such as one Court having more than one building, or even a Court having two locations on opposite ends of the same county.

For a small state, New Jersey has almost as many courthouses as shopping malls. That's why we compiled a list of every court in New Jersey to find the correct mailing address for you to use. They are listed below.

Once you complete this final step: Congrats! You have successfully responded to your debt lawsuit. With SoloSuit, you can increase the chances of winning your case by 7x.

Now, let’s look at an example of how to respond to a debt lawsuit in New Jersey.

Example: Joseph is being sued by Midland Credit Management in New Jersey for an old credit card debt of $2,000. He uses SoloSuit to draft and file a response to the lawsuit. In his Answer, Joseph denies most of the claims and lists several affirmative defenses, including the expired statute of limitations on debt. When Midland Credit Management receives Joseph’s response, they file a motion to dismiss the case in court. Joseph is now off the hook and can move on with his life!


What is Solo?

Solo makes it easy to resolve debt with debt collectors.

You can use SoloSuit to respond to a debt lawsuit, to send letters to collectors, and even to settle a debt. SoloSuit's Answer service is a step-by-step web-app that asks you all the necessary questions to complete your Answer. Upon completion, we'll have an attorney review your document and we'll file it for you.

SoloSettle can help you contact your debt collector or creditor and negotiate the debt to settle for less, all online. It simplifies and streamlines the process to settling your debt.

No matter where you find yourself in the debt collection process, Solo is here to help you resolve your debt.


Statute of limitations on debt in New Jersey

Under New Jersey Rules of Civil Procedure, §2A:14-1 states:

“Every action at law for trespass to real property, for any tortious injury to real or personal property, for taking, detaining, or converting personal property, for replevin of goods or chattels, for any tortious injury to the rights of another not stated in sections 2A:14-2 and 2A:14-3 of this Title, or for recovery upon a contractual claim or liability, express or implied, not under seal, or upon an account other than one which concerns the trade or merchandise between merchant and merchant, their factors, agents and servants, shall be commenced within 6 years next after the cause of any such action shall have accrued.”

In other words, the statute of limitations on debt is six years in New Jersey. This means that you can't legally be sued for a debt more than six years after you made the last payment.

However, that won’t stop creditors and debt collectors from filing a suit against you. It’s up to you to show that the statute of limitations has passed in your Answer. SoloSuit can help you use the statute of limitations as a defense in your case.

Similarly, §2A:14-5 states:

“A judgment in any court of record in this state may be revived by proper proceedings or an action at law may be commenced thereon within 20 years next after the date thereof, but not thereafter. An action may be commenced on a judgment obtained in any other state or country within 20 years next after the date thereof or within the period in which a like action might be brought thereon in that state or country, whichever period is shorter, but not thereafter.”

This means that, on judgment debt, the statute of limitations is 20 years. So, if you get sued for a debt, don't respond and lose by default judgment, then the new statute of limitations will be 20 years; that's a long time.

The table below further illustrates the statute of limitations on different types of debt in New Jersey. Check it out:

Statute of Limitations on Debt in New Jersey
Debt Type Deadline
Credit Card 6 years
Medical 6 years
Student Loan 6 years
Auto Loan 6 years
Mortgage 6 years
Personal Loan 6 years
Oral contract 6 years
Judgment 20 years
Source: N.J. Stat. § 2A:14-1,5

SoloSuit makes it easy to assert the statute of limitations.

Let's consider another example.

Example: Willy owes a credit card debt in New Jersey, and the last time he made a payment towards the debt was eight years ago. A debt collector tries to sue him for the debt. In this case, the statute of limitations has expired and Willy needs to bring that up as an affirmative defense in his case.

New Jersey debt collection laws can protect you

As a consumer in living in New Jersey, you are protected by New Jersey debt collection laws and other federal laws that prohibit unfair collection practices. These laws ensure you are not mistreated even though you owe creditors money. For example, The New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act (NJCFA) protects consumers from false fraud, including improper action and deceptive practices. If a creditor is guilty of violating a consumer's right in the NJCFA, they may be required to pay up to three times the damages, including the attorney fees and litigation costs.

New Jersey borrows heavily from the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) when handling consumer complaints and violations. These laws have covered most ground to ensure debt collectors use fair and ethical practices when collecting their money. The following are crucial laws to watch out for as you interact with them:

  • Debt collectors must identify themselves when they communicate with you. They must provide accurate information about the company they work for and their employee details.
  • After contacting you the first time, a debt collector should send you a written notice about your debt within five days. It should include the debt amount, the creditor’s name, and your right to dispute.
  • When you pay a debt, the debt collector should give you a written confirmation of the debt payment. The document should include the amount paid, the date, and method of payment.
  • When you send a valid Cease and Desist letter, a debt collector should stop all communication unless they want to inform you of a legal action they have taken.
  • If you dispute the debt's validity, a creditor must provide written verification of the debt and documentation proving you owe it.
  • Debt collectors should keep accurate records of your debt and be able to provide all the information needed when called upon. These records include payments received, communication they’ve had with you, and the disputes or complaints received.
  • Debt collectors cannot call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
  • Debt collectors cannot call you at work when your employer prohibits such communication.
  • Debt collectors cannot tell your family or friends that you owe a debt.
  • Debt collectors cannot continue to contact you when you have explicitly asked them not to.
  • Debt collectors cannot take actions considered harassment or abuse under the FDCPA.
  • Debt collectors cannot claim they will sell your debt in order to coerce you to pay.
  • Debt collectors cannot cause your phone to ring repeatedly with the intent to annoy.
  • Debt collectors cannot fail to disclose that they are a debt collector.
  • Debt collectors cannot make false claims about who they are.
  • Debt collectors cannot threaten to seize your house or other property.
  • Debt collectors cannot threaten to take legal action that they cannot, or do not plan to, take.

Other prohibition practices that are well reflected in the FDCPA and debt collectors are strictly prohibited from practicing are harassing or threatening consumers, calling countless times a day, disclosing debt information to other people, collecting an expired debt, and pretending to be government officials.

Knowing your rights as a consumer is the best way to protect yourself from debt collectors and fight back. If a debt collector has violated any of these regulations when communicating with you about your debt, you can file a counterclaim and potentially be compensated up to $1,000 per violation.

Facing financial challenges can be overwhelming, but you don't have to navigate them alone. The Debt Lawyer specializes in offering comprehensive bankruptcy solutions for residents of New Jersey and New York with a team of seasoned team of legal professionals dedicated to providing personalized guidance every step of the way. Whether you're considering filing for bankruptcy or just seeking clarity about your financial situation, you have resources.

New Jersey legal aid organizations can help you

Every state has at least one government-funded organization that provides free legal services to people, including New Jersey, which has many, grouped by region.

County Address Phone Email
Bergen 190 Moore Street, Suite 100
Hackensack, NJ 07601 		201-487-2166 NNJLS@lsnj.org
Hudson 574 Summit Avenue, 2nd Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07306 		201-792-6363 NNJLS@lsnj.org
Passaic 152 Market Street, 6th Floor
Paterson, NJ 07505 		973-523-2900 NNJLS@lsnj.org
Essex 5 Commerce Street, 2nd Floor
Newark, NJ 07102 		973-624-4500 enls@lsnj.org

County Address Phone Email
Hunterdon 82 Park Avenue
Flemington, NJ 08822 		908-782-7979 lsnwj-hunterdon@lsnj.org
Morris 30 Schuyler Place, 2nd Floor
Morristown, NJ 07963 		973-285-6911 lsnwj-morris@lsnj.org
Somerset 18 Church Street, Suite 120
Newton, NJ 07860 		973-383-7400 lsnwj-sussex@lsnj.org
Warren 91 Front Street
Belvidere, NJ 07823-1437 		908-475-2010 lsnwj-warren@lsnj.org

County Address Phone Email
Trenton 198 West State Street
Trenton, NJ 08608 		609-695-6249 cjls@lsnj.org
Perth Amboy 313 State Street, Suite 308
Perth Amboy, NJ 08861 		732-324-1613 cjls@lsnj.org
New Brunswick 317 George Street, Suite 201
New Brunswick, NJ 08901 		732-249-7600 cjls@lsnj.org
Elizabeth 60 Prince Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07208 		908-354-4340 cjls@lsnj.org

County Address Phone Email
Atlantic 1300 Atlantic Avenue
Atlantic City, NJ 08401 		609-348-4200 SJLS@lsnj.org
Burlington 107 High Street
Mount Holly, NJ 08060 		609-261-1088 SJLS@lsnj.org
Camden 745 Market Street
Camden, NJ 08102 		856-964-2010 SJLS@lsnj.org
Cape May 1261 Route 9 South
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210 		609-465-3001 SJLS@lsnj.org
Cumberland/Salem 415 W. Landis Avenue-2nd Floor
Vineland, NJ 08360 		856-691-0494 SJLS@lsnj.org
Gloucester 47 Newton Avenue
Woodbury, NJ 08096 		856-848-5360 SJLS@lsnj.org
Monmouth 303 West Main Street, Third Floor
Freehold, NJ 07728 		732-414-6750 SJLS@lsnj.org
Ocean 215 Main Street
Toms River, NJ 08753 		732-608-7794 SJLS@lsnj.org

New Jersey Court Mailing Addresses

To file your Answer, you need to get it to your Court. For many people, the easiest way to do this is to mail it. But it can be surprisingly difficult to find the mailing address for your Court online. So we've listed the mailing address for all New Jersey Courts here. Note: New Jersey has 21 counties, but 15 “Vicinages” – or districts, for its Courts. A few counties have to buddy up and share!

NJ Court Address Phone Vicinage
Atlantic County Superior Court Atlantic County Civil Courts Building
1201 Bacharach Boulevard
Atlantic City, Nj 08401 		609-402-0100 1
Cape May County Superior Court Cape May County Courthouse
9 North Main Street
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210 		609-402-0100 1
Bergen County Superior Court Bergen County Justice Center
10 Main Street
Hackensack, NJ 07601 		609-402-0100 2
Burlington County Superior Court Burlington County Court Facility
49 Rancocas Road
Mount Holly, NJ 08060 		609-288-9500 3
Camden County Superior Court Camden County Hall of Justice
101 South 5th Street
Camden, NJ 08103 		856-650-9100 4
Cumberland County Superior Court Cumberland County Courthouse
Broad and Fayette Streets
Bridgeton, NJ 08302 		856-878-5050 15
Essex County Superior Court Essex County Historic Courthouse
470 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Newark, NJ 07102 		973-776-9300 5
Gloucester County Superior Court Gloucester County Courthouse
1 North Broad Street
Woodbury, NJ 08096 		856-878-5050 15
Hudson County Superior Court Hudson County Administration Building
595 Newark Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07306 		201-795-5162 6
Hunterdon County Superior Court Hunterdon County Courthouse
65 Park Avenue
Flemington, NJ 08822 		908-824-9750 13
Mercer County Superior Court Mercer County Civil Courthouse
175 South Broad Street
Trenton, NJ 08650 		609-571-4200 7
Middlesex County Superior Court Middlesex County Courthouse
56 Paterson Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08903 		732-645-4300 8
Monmouth County Superior Court Monmouth County Courthouse
71 Monument Park
Freehold, NJ 07728 		732-358-8700 9
Morris County Superior Court Morris County Courthouse
Washington and Court Streets
Morristown, NJ 07963 		862-397-5700 10
Passaic County Superior Court Passaic County Courthouse
77 Hamilton Street
Paterson, NJ 07505 		973-653-2910 11
Ocean County Superior Court Ocean County Courthouse
118 Washington Street
Toms River, NJ 08754 		732-504-0700 14
Salem County Superior Court Salem County Courthouse
92 Market Street
Salem, NJ 08079 		856-878-5050 15
Somerset County Superior Court Somerset County Courthouse
20 North Bridge Street
Somerville, NJ 		908-332-7700 13
Sussex County Superior Court Sussex County Judicial Center
43-47 High Street
Newton, NJ 07860 		862-397-5700 10
Union County Superior Court Union County Courthouse
2 Broad Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07207 		908-787-1650 12
Warren County Superior Court Warren County Courthouse
413 Second Street
Belvidere, NJ 07823 		908-750-8100 13

How to Get Debt Relief in New Jersey

Debt relief has helped numerous New Jersey residents eliminate their overwhelming debt. You have various options to manage your debt situation. The option best suited to you will depend on the type and number of debts, the money available, and the urgency to make payment. Let’s discuss the diverse options you have for debt relief in New Jersey and how to access these options.

  • Debt settlement: When you choose to settle your outstanding debt, you intend to ask the creditor to take a reduced amount than what you originally owed. When using this option, you must have a lump sum amount available to pay the creditor once they accept the offer. Remember, it's best to start your negotiations at slightly less than the maximum you can pay so that you can afford to continue negotiations if your creditor makes a counteroffer. You can negotiate with the debt collector via SoloSettle or use a debt settlement company that will do most of the work for you at a higher fee.

  • Credit counseling: This approach involves acquiring the services of a well-versed professional to help you manage your finances. They often help struggling consumers create a plan to get out of debt and live within a budget. However, this process is relatively slow. While you gain knowledge to avoid falling into the same financial traps, you should simultaneously be saving money to pay off your debts. Most credit counselors will also advise and require that you refrain from taking a new line of credit while in the program.

  • Debt management programs: This option calls for enrolling in a debt management program where the professionals take over debt management. They may ask you to open a bank account to deposit money you will use to make payments. Afterward, they will approach the creditors and request better interest rates or favorable monthly payments than what you had.

  • Debt consolidation: When you have multiple debts that you struggle to manage every month, consolidating your debts into a single manageable debt is the next best option. This method works by taking out a new personal loan, using the money to pay off the other debts, and remaining with this one to pay. The catch is to look for a loan with a lower interest rate.

  • File for bankruptcy: This method should be your last resort as it will harm your credit score for ten years. Bankruptcy eliminates most of your debt and allows you to start afresh. However, you must first apply for it and learn whether you qualify for Chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy.

New Jersey also offers other debt relief services through organizations that support families and individuals struggling financially. These organizations include WorkFirst NJ, Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP), NJ SNAP, and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

New Jersey Court Case Search—Find Your Lawsuit

Finding your lawsuit in New Jersey can help you understand your case better, know how far you are in the process, and what is required of you while preparing for court. Before you can access your case records, you must first understand the court structure, which will help you know where your case will be heard and the options available for appeal. The following is New Jersey's court case structure:

  • Supreme Court: The highest court in the state. They review cases for the lower courts.
  • Appellate Division of the Superior Court: This is the intermediate appellate court. It reviews cases from the trial courts by re-examining the documents.
  • Superior Court: New Jersey has 21 Superior Courts that accept a jury trial. These courts have further divisions that handle various civil cases. For instance, small claims cases of up to $3,000 are heard in the Special Civil Part Division. Any amount above $5,000 is heard in the Civil Division of the Superior Court.

Now that you understand how New Jersey's court system works, you should know what court has jurisdiction over your case. Below, we explain how to check the status of your New Jersey court case in person or online.

Your case records will likely be in your county’s Superior Court under the Special Civil Part Division. From there, you can search for your case number with the help of the court clerk. The court clerks create the case number for the court or case type, the county initials, the year the creditor filed the case, and the sequential number. For example, case number MER-DC-000010-23 is the tenth court case filed into Mercer County in 2023.

You must know your case number to access your court records and check the status of your case. If you don't know your case number, you must provide your name, date of birth, and the creditor’s name.

Check your court case status in person

New Jersey allows you to access your court records in person instead of online. In some counties, getting the records physically ensures you receive a detailed document instead of the skeleton details available online.

Use the New Jersey court directory to find your courthouse location. Click on your county, and you'll be redirected to a page with the contact information. If you require a few details from your case, you can call the court clerk and ask them about the basic information you need to save yourself the trip, such as the court date and time or the progress of your case. Any further information or documentation will usually require you to go physically. However, some court clers might be able to email you court documents if you request it.

Check the status of your case online

You can also search your case online at the New Jersey Public Access Portal. Go to the party search option, fill in the details, and click the search button. Your case number and information will appear.

How to Settle a Debt in New Jersey

Settling debt is the surest way of getting out of debt if you do not have the entire debt amount to pay. Some creditors understand the tough situation consumers face, and they accept a reduced amount of the money owed. After all, debt collectors know that the court process is slow and expensive, and they’d rather get something from you than risk getting nothing. But, you must prove you do not have the means to pay the entire debt.

Follow these stpes to settle a debt in New Jerseyyou have been sued:

  1. Respond to the lawsuit: Even if you want to pay off a portion of the debt and settle, it's important to draft and file a written Answer into the case. This will block a default judgment and give you time to work out a settlement.
  2. Make the first move and offer a settlement deal: Once you've filed an Answer, you can approach the opposing lawyer and offer a lump sum payment to settle. The amount should be significantly lower than the original debt, but make sure that it's a fair offer still. Give yourself room to negotiate.
  3. Get the settlement deal in writing: Once the creditor accepts the offer, do not make any payments until they sign a written document, known as a debt settlement agreement, stating they will change the debt status to paid or settled and drop the lawsuit.

SoloSettle is an online tool that allows you to negotiate with creditors and debt collectors without having to call or talk to them directly. They will also take care of the paperwork, ensuring it is valid and can stand in court. Learn more about debt negotiations in the following video.

Unlike SoloSettle, where you take charge of the settlement process and use technology to negotiate, other debt settlement companies take over interaction with creditors and may require you to open a separate account to put the money you will save, or even ask you to stop making payments. Be vigilant when choosing a debt settlement company to work with. Examples to consider are Freedom Debt Relief, Century, National Debt Relief, Citizens Debt Relief, and CuraDebt.

How to File in Monmouth County Courthouse

Receiving a lawsuit in Monmouth County can seem devastating, but you still have a winning chance if you file the Answer before the deadline. You must also include the correct information to make your case strong. In New Jersey, the court where your case will be heard depends on the amount you owe. Here is the breakdown:

  • The Small Claims Court: They take cases with debts of up to $ 3,000. The case is filed at the Monmouth County Small Claims Court.
  • The Law Division, Special Civil Part: the debt owed should be between $3,000 and $15,000. It is filed at the Special Civil Part Court.
  • The Law Division Claims: Handles cases with claims above $15,000. The case is filed at the Law Division of Monmouth Superior Court.

Once you receive a lawsuit from the court your debt fits in, you must respond within 35 days. Failure to which the creditor may obtain a default judgment and they may get a garnishment order. Use SoloSuit’s Answer to respond to the lawsuit and increase your chances of winning your case. Responding to the debt collection lawsuit occurs in three stages. They include:

  1. Respond to the allegations: This is the first part of the Complaint document you must address. You are required to answer the allegations by admitting, denying, or denying for lack of knowledge. It is in your best interest to deny most of the claims and let the creditor prove their case.
  2. Explain your affirmative defenses: The next section in the Complaint document is to list the reasons you have against paying the debt or the creditor. This is your chance to build a strong case and push the debt collector towards withdrawing the case or asking for a settlement deal.
  3. Make copies and send the Answer: This is a crucial step that ensures your ANswer document gets to the court in time. Send a copy to the creditor and keep the last copy for future reference or to carry in court.

If you need help drafting and sending the Answer, SoloSuit can assist you. Our Answer template is easy to use, and you only need to customize it to your situation. At a small fee, we can file the Answer document on your behalf.

>>Read the FastCompany article: Debt Lawsuits Are Complicated: This Website Makes Them Simpler To Navigate

>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit. (We can help you in all 50 states.)




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How to Answer a Summons for debt collection in all 50 states

Here's a list of guides on how to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in each state:

The Ultimate 50 State Guide

Debt collector guides

Are you being contacted by a debt collector? We're making guides on how to resolve debt with each one.

Arbitration

If the thought of going to court stresses you out, you're not alone. Many Americans who are sued for credit card debt utilize a Motion to Compel Arbitration to push their case out of court and into arbitration.

Below are some resources on how to use an arbitration clause to your advantage and win a debt lawsuit.

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is a great way to legally resolve debt, but it's usually best to consider it as a last resort. Here are some bankruptcy guides to help you decide which debt resolution option is best for you.

Check your case status

Don't have time to go to your local courthouse to check the status of your case? We've created state guides on how to check the status of your case throughout the US, complete with online search tools and court directories.

Credit

Debt has a big impact on your credit. Below is a list of guides on how to repair and improve your credit, even while managing major debt, along with other credit-related resources.

Debt collection FAQs

Find answers to some of our the most commonly-asked questions about debt collection below.

Debt collection documents and templates

If you're dealing with debt, these documents and templates will help you respond, protect your rights, negotiate, and resolve your debts.

Debt relief

We've created a specialized guide on how to find debt relief in all 50 states, complete with steps to take to find relief, state-specific resources, and more.

Debt settlement

Debt settlement is one of the most effective ways to resolve a debt and save money. We've created state guides on debt settlement. Find out how to settle in your state with a simple click and explore other debt settlement resources below.

Eviction

Facing an eviction? The following guides will help you navigate your situation with confidence.

Federal debt collection laws

Knowing your rights makes it easier to stand up for your rights. Below, we've compiled all our articles on federal debt collection laws that protect you from unfair practices.

Helping people find access to justice is at the heart of Solo's misison. If you're dealing with a legal debt issue, the following guides will help you through it.

Medical debt

Having a health challenge is stressful, but dealing with medical debt on top of it is overwhelming. Here are some resources on how to manage medical debt.

Personal finance

Learn how to manage your finances and overcome crushing debt. Check out our personal finance guides below.

State debt collection laws

Debt collection laws vary by state, so we have compiled a guide to each state's debt collection laws to make it easier for you to stand up for your rights—no matter where you live.

Statute of limitations on debt

Like all debt collection laws, the statute of limitations on debt varies by state. So, we wrote guides on each state's statutes and more.

Stop collection calls

Do you keep getting calls from an unknown number, only to realize that it's a debt collector on the other line? If you've been called by any of the following numbers, chances are you have collectors coming after you, and we'll tell you how to stop them.

Wage garnishment

Forgot to respond to your debt lawsuit? The judge may have ordered a default judgment against you, and with a default judgment, debt collectors can garnish your wages. Here are our guides on how to stop wage garnishment in your state, plus other wage garnishment resources.

The Debt Hotline

Hosted by Team Solo, The Debt Hotline breaks down debt and personal finance topics with help from attorneys, financial experts, and industry pros. We respond to real questions to help you navigate debt with knowledge and courage.

Other debt resources