If you're overwhelmed with debt, there's still hope. Our automated software will help you resolve your debt and move forward.

Reply to a lawsuitSettle your debt

How to Respond to a Utah Summons for Debt (2026 Guide)

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

Summary: If you've been sued for a debt in Utah, you must respond within 21 days or you will lose by default. To respond, file a written Answer where you reply to each claim from the Complaint and assert your affirmative defenses. You can use SoloSuit to respond in just 15 minutes and win your lawsuit.

Getting sued for debt is just the worst. If the debt collector wins, they can garnish your wages or even gain access to your bank account to retrieve their money. Luckily, you can avoid this by responding to the lawsuit before the deadline to respond runs out.

This article will make the process easier and tell you what you need to know to respond to a debt lawsuit in Utah, keeping in mind the Utah debt collection laws.


SoloSuit
4.7 (635)

Respond to your debt lawsuit in 15 minutes

SoloSuit helps you draft and file your Answer — attorney-reviewed, with a money-back guarantee.

$2.5B+
Protected
364K+
People Helped
15 min
To Complete

"I won my case using SoloSuit. I input my information and it did the rest."

L
Le Land Verified
Respond to My Lawsuit

100% money-back guarantee

Table of Contents

File an Answer to a Summons in Utah before the state deadline

You know you're being sued for a debt if you receive court documents in the mail (usually via certified mail) saying you're being sued for a debt. These documents are called the Summons and Complaint. The Summons and Complaint may also be served to you by a process server.

In a debt collection case, the Summons notifies you of the lawsuit and the parties—people or businesses—involved in the case. On the other hand, the Complaint lists the specific claims that are being made against you.

There is a deadline to respond to a debt lawsuit in Utah. Here's what Rule 12(a) of Utah Rules of Civil Procedure says about it:

Unless otherwise provided by statute or order of the court, a defendant must serve an answer within 21 days after the service of the summons and complaint is complete within the state and within 30 days after service of the summons and complaint is complete outside the state.

This is just a fancy way to say that you have 21 days from the time you receive the Summons and Complaint to file your Answer in Utah courts. You can respond with an Answer document or a Motion. Responding with an Answer is usually the best first step to take when you fight a debt lawsuit.

Cost Comparison

SoloSuit vs. hiring an attorney

Typical attorney
$1,500+
average cost
Consultations, retainers
hourly billing, delays
SoloSuit
$247
premium package
Attorney-reviewed
filed in 1–6 days
You save $1,250+ vs. an attorney
What's included
Personalized legal Answer document generated
Licensed attorney review (Premium)
Filed with your court + served to opposing counsel
100% money-back guarantee
Get Started

Standard $67 · Premium $247 with attorney review. Filing fees may apply.

Follow these steps to respond to a Utah debt collection case

With the 21-day deadline in mind, it's time to take action. Follow these three steps to respond to a Summons and Complaint in Utah:

  1. Answer each claim listed in the Complaint document.
  2. Assert your affirmative defenses.
  3. File the Answer with the court and serve the plaintiff.

Let's take a look at each in detail. Don't like reading? Watch the video below instead:

1. Answer each claim listed in the Complaint document

Answering a Complaint may seem intimidating, but the process is really quite simple. All you have to do is read the Complaint carefully and decide how you want to respond to each numbered claim. The first section of your Answer should be a numbered list where you answer each claim from the Complaint in the same order.

You can respond to each claim with one of these three options:

  • Admit—like saying, “This is true.”
  • Deny—like saying, “Prove it.”
  • Deny due to lack of knowledge—like saying, “I don't know.”

Most attorneys suggest that you deny as many claims in your Answer as possible. In a debt lawsuit, the burden of proof is on the plaintiff, or the person suing. This means that, whenever you deny a claim, the plaintiff has to submit evidence to the court proving their claim. If they don't have the proper documentation to prove their case, they will most likely dismiss the case instead of continuing to pursue it.

Let's take a look at an example.

Example: Jason got sued by Chase Bank in Utah. In the lawsuit, Chase Bank claimed that Jason had a debt of $2,600, and that he had defaulted on the debt two years ago. After checking his records, Jason did have a debt with them, but the debt balance listed in the Complaint was incorrect. In his Answer document, Jason denies the majority of the allegations. When Chase Bank goes through their records again, they realize their claims are not provable, and they decide to dismiss the case.


2. Assert your affirmative defenses

After you've responded to each claim from the Complaint, you are ready for the next section of your Answer document, which is where you will assert your affirmative defenses.

An affirmative defense is any reason that the plaintiff should lose the case, even if their claims end up being true. Below are some common affirmative defenses for debt collection cases:

  • The account with the debt is not yours.
  • The contract was already canceled, meaning you don't owe the creditor anything.
  • The statute of limitations has expired. A statute of limitations is a law that sets a deadline on an action. In this case, Utah's statute of limitations sets the deadline for debt collection at six years. This means that you can't be sued for a debt based on an account that has been inactive for six years or more.
  • The debt was paid or excused.
  • The debt was partially paid.
  • You were a co-signer, but you were not informed of your rights as a co-signer.

These are examples of affirmative defenses acceptable by the courts. Notably, being unable to pay the debt is not a legal defense.

Here's an example of a consumer who used affirmative defenses to their advantage.

Example: Susan was sued for an old debt in Utah. The debt was so old that she didn't even remember it existed. When she looked most closely into the case, Susan realized that she had not made any payments on the account for more than eight years. She used SoloSuit to draft her Answer document, where she included the statute of limitations being passed as one of her affirmative defenses. The debt collector suing her didn't think she would be aware of laws like the statute of limitations. The court did sided with Susan, and she ended up winning the case.


3. File the Answer with the court and serve the plaintiff

After drafting your Answer with your responses and affirmative defenses, it's ready to be filed with the court. Surprisingly, many consumers find this step the hardest. If you don't have any attorney representing you in Utah, the courts require that you file the Answer by mail or in person. So, here's what you need to do:

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

The address for the plaintiff and court should be in the Summons and Complaint you received in the mail. The attorney's address should be on the top left of the first page. The court's address should be in the first two paragraphs.

Beware of filing fees in Utah

Many courts charge a filing fee to respond to a debt collection lawsuit. If you're being sued in Utah, you're in luck. Utah does not charge any fees to file an Answer.

However, there may be other filing fees associated with debt lawsuit documents if you decide to enter any other legal actions into the case. For example, if you decide to file a counterclaim against the debt collector, there is a fee.

Click here to learn more about civil filing fees in Utah.

Use these Utah Answer to Summons forms

The easiest way to draft an Answer to a debt Summons without an attorney is through the SoloSuit Answer form which takes minutes to complete online. To use this form, you respond to a series of questions about your Utah debt collection lawsuit, and the SoloSuit software helps generate a personalized Answer document that is fit to file in any court in Utah.

Utah's judicial branch website also provides an Answer form, but this one is harder to fill out because it's not an automated process. You'll have to manually add your response and ensure you use the right legal language to defend your rights. With SoloSuit's Answer form, the proper legal language and formatting is included and automated.

Debt collectors use tricks to get money

Debt collectors and the lawyers they hire sometimes use questionable tactics to ensure you lose your case.

Legalese: For example, lawyers use a language called legalese. This term means using complicated words like defendant, plaintiff, hereby, and herein to prevent the other party from understanding what they mean. Lawyers mostly use this language as an intimidation tactic. It isn't legally required to communicate this way.

There is a large movement pushing legal professionals to stop using legalese and communicate in plain English. But lawyers continue to use legalese to make it difficult for the average person to know what is happening in their lawsuit.

The best approach to deal with legalese is to search for the difficult legal terms on Google. Most of the words you don't recognize will probably come up with a “Law” or “Archaic” tag.

Serving you before filing with the courts: A second example of dirty tactics Utah collections may use is serving you before filing with the courts. This move is really sneaky. Some debt collectors in Utah will serve you first then file the case with the courts 10 days later. If they do this, your Summons and Complaint will not have a case number assigned yet, making it more difficult to find your case with the court and get more details.

According to Utah's Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 3(a), this isn't illegal. But it does make the process more tricky for the person being sued, especially when most people in this position don't know much about the legal system to begin with. When you call the court to ask for your case file, the clerk will ask for the case number. If you do not have a case number, the court can't help point you in the right direction.

Being aware of this rule can help prepare you. Wait 10 days after receiving the Summons and Complaint to ask the court for your case number. You can call the court or take a trip down to the courthouse. Once you have your case number, get your Answer filed as quickly as possible.

Utah debt collection laws protect you

Having a past-due account is already stressful. You don't want to put up with harassment and abuse from debt collectors. Fortunately, Utah debt collection laws protect you.

These laws govern all aspects of debt collection.

  • Prohibits excessive debt collector communication: Debt collectors can call, email, send letters, and contact you via social media, but there are limits according to 15 U.S. Code § 1692c. For example, debt collectors may not contact you multiple times daily about the same debt. Also, they should stop contacting you directly if you ask them through a Cease and Desist letter or if you direct them to speak with your attorney. You can legally record debt collection calls in Utah to gather evidence of harassment.

  • Handling debt collection lawsuits in Utah: Debt collection lawsuits give creditors alternative means to collect debt. Even then, utilizing Utah laws protects consumers. For example, you have 21 days to respond to a debt collection lawsuit. That provision allows you reasonable time and an opportunity to defend yourself. (Utah Rule of Civil Procedure 12a)

  • Wage garnishment: A judgment creditor can garnish wages to recover their money. Utah Code Section 78B-2-311 allows them to collect on a judgment for eight years, although they would have to renew writs yearly. Even then, some of your earnings are exempt from garnishment.

  • Statutes of limitations on debt: Once the statute of limitations has passed, the creditor cannot sue you for a debt. They have up to six years since you last made payments in the account.

Although debt collection is stressful, some laws protect you. Understanding them can relieve pressure and even help you get out of debt.

Now, let's take a closer look at how the statute of limitations on debt works in Utah.

The statute of limitations on debt in Utah sets a timeline for collectors to take legal aciton

You may not have to pay that old debt after all. The statute of limitations limits how long a creditor can pursue legal solutions to past-due debt. The point is that evidence is lost, obscured, or irretrievable with time. Recollection of facts may be inaccurate. Allowing such a lawsuit to proceed would be unfair.

How long is the statute of limitations on debt in Utah?

The Utah statute of limitations on debt is six years, typically, but it differs for different types of contracts. For written agreements, the opportunity to sue expires in six years, verbal contracts last four years, and unpaid debts from open accounts remain subject to legal action for four years. The table below further outlines the statute of limitations on different types of debt in Utah.

Statute of Limitations on Debt in Utah
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
Judgment 8 years
Source: Utah Code § 78B-2-309/311

Some contractual Agreements may allow a different law to apply in that specific case. For example, many credit card agreements include a “choice of law” provision that designates a particular state law to use if there is a dispute.

When does the statute of limitations begin?

In most instances, the clock for the statute of limitations begins when a contract is purportedly breached. For example, for unpaid credit card debt, the date of the breach can be the date of the last payment or the date of the latest charge, whichever is later.

Certain conditions within the contract may cause a breach. For example, if an auto loan requires the purchaser to maintain insurance on the vehicle, a breach happens on the day the insurance lapses.

Closely reviewing your contract can reveal other conditions that may trigger a breach.

Note: You can unwittingly reset the clock on old debts if you are not careful. Creditors know this and may ask you to make a small payment or sign a written acknowledgment that you owe the debt. Your acknowledgment effectively revives the debt, resetting the clock for the statute of limitations.

Utah's borrowing statute

Utah is unique because it has two applicable laws - a general statute of limitations on debts and a statute of limitations based on Utah's “borrowing statute” in Section 78B-2-103 of the Utah Code.

According to this statute, any “cause of action which arises in another jurisdiction” and is time-barred by that state's statute of limitations is also time-barred in Utah unless specific facts apply.

What if I am sued for a debt past the statute of limitations?

Do not ignore the lawsuit if you are sued for an old debt. File a response and list the passed statute of limitations as a defense.

Filing a time-barred debt collection lawsuit violates the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). You may seek actual or statutory compensation for each breach.

How to settle debt in Utah

You can settle a debt for less at any point during collection, but it becomes crucial when dealing with a lawsuit. Settling out of court saves you court hearings, time, and money.

Resolving the lawsuit out of court involves more than negotiating with the plaintiff. You must keep up with the court requirements. If you plan to settle the debt with your creditors, take the following steps.

First, respond to the lawsuit by filing an Answer.

For every lawsuit filed against you, you'll receive a Summons and a Complaint document. You should file a response to the court. The response acknowledges that you received the papers and allows you to assert your affirmative defenses and reply to each complaint.

Responding to the Summons is necessary even if you hope to settle before your court date. The plaintiff receives a copy of the response and may agree to a settlement if they see that they cannot break down your defense case. Additionally, it protects you if negotiations fail and you must carry on with litigation.

If you are served court papers within Utah, you have 21 days to respond. Be sure to beat the deadline to ensure your response is admissible.

Next, make an offer to start negotiations.

Settling debt works best if you can make a lump sum payment at once. Therefore, you must raise a considerable percentage of the balance before approaching creditors. Determine how much you have saved and if you can increase that amount in the coming weeks. Cutting back on some expenses can raise additional funds.

Creditors will take your offer seriously if you start at around 60%. Eventually, most accept a 71% settlement, but they may take slightly less if you can prove it is a good deal.

Expect several rounds of negotiations and bargaining. Despite the pressure, only accept what you can afford to pay by the set date. Missed payments destroy creditors' trust, and they likely prefer a legal solution.

Third, get a written settlement agreement.

The relief that comes with accepting a settlement offer is exciting. However, before paying, ensure you have the agreement in writing. A debt settlement agreement is legally binding, so the creditor must respect it. Without a written document, they can go back on their word and insist that you pay the debt in full or take you back to court.

The agreement should capture all the essential facts as demonstrated in this sample.


Utah debt settlement companies

Debt settlement companies help consumers negotiate lower amounts. There are several such companies in Utah.

  • SoloSettle: This is a tech-driven approach to debt settlement, utilizing a software to send and receive settlement offers. SoloSettle is unique because it doesn't require a minimum debt amount. Where some debt settlement companies work with consumers with more than $10,000 in debt, SoloSuit, which powers SoloSettle, helps everyone.
  • Accredited Debt relief: Consumers make monthly payments to the company, which uses the funds to offer a settlement. Accredited Debt Relief programs typically last two to four years and cost debtors 15% to 25% of the total debt.
  • Freedom Debt Relief: Freedom Debt Relief has been around since 2002 and has helped consumers settle billions of dollars in debt. It charges fees of between 15% and 25% for its services.

No matter how bleak your situation seems, getting out of debt is possible in Utah. You may need discipline to save up and negotiate frankly with creditors and debt collectors, but it is doable.

To negotiate debt settlement on your own in Utah, use these tips and tricks from a real attorney:

Stop wage garnishment in Utah.

A court might order wage garnishment if you are late on debt repayment. UT Code § 70C-7-103 permits creditors to garnish up to 25% of a debtor’s disposable earnings. Alternatively, creditors can take the amount of your disposable earnings that exceeds 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage if that is less than 25% of your disposable earnings.

Disposable income is the amount you have left after taxes and mandatory deductions. In Utah, wage garnishment may apply if you don't pay child support, taxes, or consumer debt.

How to stop wage garnishment

Even after the garnishment starts, you may have a way to stop it.

  • Talk to the creditor. It's always possible to negotiate. Your creditor may allow you to pay the debt in full to stop garnishing your paycheck.
  • Request a hearing for excessive garnishments. You can file a request with the court within ten days of receiving the notice to contest a garnishment.
  • File a claim for exemptions. Some of your income is exempt from garnishment. You may file for exemptions if someone takes some of your money from the following sources: supplemental security income, public assistance benefits, Worker's Compensation, veterans benefit, Social Security benefits, unemployment compensation
  • File for bankruptcy. Utah bankruptcy triggers an automatic stay on wage garnishment and other collection actions. The break allows you time to reorganize your finances. Eventually, bankruptcy discharges some debts.

You can prevent wage garnishment with a debt settlement. Use SoloSettle to negotiate for a fair amount.

How to avoid a default judgment

In Utah, over 50 percent of all cases are for debt collection. This equals about 54,000 cases a year. So if you are being sued for a debt, you aren't alone. In about 90% of these 54,000 cases, the debtor automatically loses their case simply because they never filed an Answer. This is called losing by default judgment.

Consumers don't file an answer because they believe they need an attorney to file it and they can't afford one. Secondly, they believe the courts are difficult to navigate alone without legal experience.

These assumptions are not correct because SoloSuit has managed to serve over 250,000 consumers. None of these consumers had to hire a lawyer or go to the courts to deliver their Answer. They were able to represent themselves and take a stand in court.

Utah collections agencies usually expect to win automatically because they know consumers do not understand the legal process for responding to a debt collection Utah lawsuit.

To increase your winning chances, use SoloSuit as a resource. You can participate in our services, or you can search our blog for relevant topics. We have helpful information to guide you through every step of your Utah lawsuit.

How to file a Motion to Satisfy Judgment in Utah

If you lose a debt collection lawsuit, the judgment creditor will find a way to collect the money. You may reach a repayment plan. They may garnish your wages or place liens on your bank accounts.

Satisfaction of a judgment means that the debtor has paid or resolved all debts, and the court no longer has an obligation over the parties.

Once you have completed the repayment plan, you need a certificate of satisfaction to show that the debt is resolved. This requires you to file a Motion to Satisfy Judgment.

The creditor should file an acknowledgment telling the court that you have satisfied your obligations. If they don't, the debtor files this Motion to Satisfy Judgment.

You'll need to file three separate documents:

You can complete each document by clicking on the link. Once you've done so, follow these rules to file.

You must then present the certificate in the appropriate court. If a judgment has been filed in any other court than the primary court, file the proof of satisfaction there as well.

Filing the Motion for Satisfaction of Judgment is more straightforward if you keep good records.

A creditor's acknowledgment of satisfaction of judgment

A creditor’s acknowledgment of satisfaction lets the court know that the debt has been settled and the case is closed. The creditor files an acknowledgment of satisfaction in the appropriate court and gives the debtor a copy of the document.

Resolving a judgment debt is a great feeling. So when you receive certification, file it with the court to end its involvement in the case.

Find debt relief in Utah

Missing a credit payment account can take your account to collections. The collection agent will use every means to recover what you owe.

For the consumer, debt collection is an unsettling process. If the missed payments go to your report, your credit score will take a hit. In the meantime, unscheduled collection calls and constant reminders bombard your life.

It's no wonder that seeking debt relief in Utah is at the top of your list. It helps you achieve one or more of the following:

  • Catch up on repayment
  • Reduce the amount of debt
  • Get rid of the debt
  • Get lower interest rates
  • Access financial assistance to care for your daily needs
  • Get debts discharged in bankruptcy

The debt relief option you choose determines the benefits you get.

Utah has debt relief programs.

Utah provides financial assistance for consumers in serious financial difficulties. Check whether you qualify for any of these programs.

Debt relief options in Utah

If you don’t qualify for any of the financial assistance programs listed above, consider other debt relief options. Your short-term goal is to make your situation more manageable, with the prospect of eventually eliminating the debt. Utah consumers have used the following debt relief methods to achieve their goals.

  • Pay the bare minimum each month: If you are servicing several accounts, consider reviewing how much money you have assigned to each debt. While paying off one account is exciting, doing so while letting others go delinquent can damage your credit. If your finances allow, make minimum repayments to each account.

  • Debt settlement or negotiation can help: Debt settlement can reduce the principal amount and lower the interest. You can get your creditor to review interest rates or forgive part of the debt by negotiating. On average, creditors generally accept 71% to settle an account. You may negotiate for settlement yourself or hire a debt settlement company.

  • Seek debt management or credit counseling in Utah: Utah residents have access to free credit management programs. This plan works by making regular payments to the credit counselor, who pays your creditors. You'll still pay the principal amount, but the counselor may successfully negotiate for lower interest rates.

  • Debt consolidation works for some but deserves caution: Debt consolidation works for consumers with a steady income because the new loan you take to repay your debts needs monthly payments. The new loan must have lower interest rates to save you money, which rates are usually difficult to access for debtors already struggling with delinquency.

  • File for bankruptcy: Declaring bankruptcy halts collections. Once approved, it can relieve consumers of some or all of their unsecured consumer debts.

Gyms can sue you for not paying

A question we often receive is, can gyms send you to collections? Or can a gym sue you for not paying? Let's use an example to answer that question.

Example: Scott owes a year's worth of payments to a gym for a membership. The gym tries to collect those payments for another year, without any success. The gym sells that debt to a Utah collections debt collector. The debt collector sues Scott for the amount owed plus court costs and attorney fees, which equals about $500. If Scott doesn't respond in 21 days, he may owe up to $1500 plus interest.

To answer the earlier question, Yes, gyms can sue you for not paying and you may end up like Scott if you do not respond to the lawsuit with a written Answer.

Keep reading for other frequently asked questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue my debt collector?

Yes. You can sue your debt collector or another party involved. Suing the creditor after they sue you is called a counterclaim. Suing another party involved in your current case is called a crossclaim. If you believe the creditor violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, be sure to state this in your counterclaim.

Can you settle a debt after being served?

Yes. Most people who use SoloSuit settle their debt after being sued. They'll have a pre-trial settlement conference or use mediation where they discuss the debt with the collector and come to an arrangement. Usually, the debtor can negotiate down the debt after filing an Answer. The two parties will decide on a stipulated payment plan, a legally enforceable document that lays out a payment schedule.

What do you do if a debt collector sues you?

If a debt collector sues you, respond to the lawsuit by filing an answer within 21 days of receiving the Summons and Complaint in Utah. You can use SoloSuitto draft and file your Answer.

How long can a creditor collect on a debt in Utah?

The statute of limitations on Utah debt varies depending on the case type, how you entered the debt, and its legal state. Generally, the debt collection law regarding the expiry date is as follows:

  • 4 years for credit card debt and spoken contracts
  • 6 years for written contracts
  • 8 years for federal and state judgments

What percentage do creditors usually settle for?

After filing an answer using SoloSuit, people are able to negotiate down their debt to around 40%-80% of the original debt. If you want to wrap up the case fast, you can lead with your best offer, maybe starting with 51%. So, in negotiation, start low, around 15%, and adjust upwards. For instance, if you owe a debt of $1,000 and have already filed your Answer using SoloSuit, you can start with an offer of $510. Start the negotiation process by sending an offer for free with SoloSettle.

Can Utah collections take you to court?

Yes, debt collectors can take you to court for a debt. Many consumers don't realize this until it is too late. They assume they can avoid paying a debt forever. But, the creditor has the right to sue you for the debt as long as it is within the statute of limitations.

What happens when you get a Summons for debt?

When you receive a Summons for a debt, it means you are being sued. Along with the Summons, you should receive a Complaint document. You need to respond to the Complaint by filing an Answer with the courts and serving an Answer to the plaintiff. You can do this with SoloSuit.

How do you respond to a debt lawsuit without a lawyer?

You can respond to a debt lawsuit without an attorney using your state court's website to find resources like templates that you can fill out to respond. Or you can use SoloSuit's drafted Answer and customize it to your case situation. Oftentimes, people are sued for a debt of less than $1000. Many attorneys require a $3000 retainer to get involved in a lawsuit. It doesn't make sense to pay an attorney $3000 for a $1000 debt.

You can save the money and stress of finding an attorney and represent yourself with SoloSuit's help.

What happens when someone sues you and you have no money?

If you're being sued for a debt and you have no money, you aren't totally off of the hook. If you lose the lawsuit, the debt will increase in size, because the creditor's attorney fees will be added to the debt. Also, the creditor can collect the debt for another 8 years. That means if you get an income in those 8 years, the creditor can garnish it. Additionally, the creditor can put a lien on your assets like a house or a car meaning if you sell the house or car, the money goes first to pay off the debt.

How many days do you have to respond to a lawsuit?

If you are being sued in Utah and you receive the lawsuit in the mail, you have 21 calendar days to respond if you were served the Summons and Complaint in Utah. If you are being sued in Utah and received the court documents outside of the state, you have 30 days to respond. This includes weekends and holidays. If you don't file a response within the deadline, you will most likely lose your case automatically.

What happens if you ignore a lawsuit?

Sadly, ignoring a debt lawsuit doesn't make it go away. It only makes it worse. Here's what will happen if you ignore a debt lawsuit:

  • Automatically lose your case: This is called default judgment and it occurs if you don't file within the 21–30 days allotted in Utah.
  • Owe attorneys fees: Even if you don't hire an attorney, when you lose your case you must pay the attorneys fees for the opposing party.
  • Garnished wages: When you lose, the opposing party will be allowed to garnish 25% of your paycheck. This means they take 25% out of every paycheck automatically.
  • Liens: The opposing party can put a lien on your property and you have to pay them first after selling your property or assets.

File an Answer in your local Utah court

Ready to file your Answer? Find your local Utah court below to get started.

>>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.)


Deadline approaching

Don't lose by default
Respond in 15 minutes

SoloSuit files your Answer with the court. Attorney-reviewed.

364K+
People Helped
From $67
Money-back Guarantee
Respond Now
4.7 from 635 reviews


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