How to Answer a Debt Summons in Georgia

Debt collectors, credit card companies and other creditors can attempt to resolve a delinquent debt in Georgia by filing a lawsuit in civil court. A debt lawsuit is usually a collections effort of last resort and can result in your wages or bank accounts being garnished if you don't respond to the suit, according to the Judicial Branch of Georgia website. After you respond to the lawsuit a court date will be set, allowing you to defend yourself in court. However, some people in Georgia owing valid debts seek to settle out of court rather than appear before a judge.

• 1

  Read the summons, which is an official notification that you are being sued. The Georgia Legal Aid website reports that summonses are usually hand-delivered to your home by a county sheriff or another officer of the court. The summons will inform you that you have 30 days to respond to a complaint that is attached to the summons. The complaint is the actual lawsuit and details why you are being sued.

• 2

  Write a response to the summons, which is called an "Answer." Atlanta Legal Aid Society reports that the answer is your written rebuttal to the lawsuit and allows you to deny the allegations. You can deny the lawsuit in whole or in part, or you can admit that the allegations are true.

• 3

  Deliver your answer to the clerk of court either in person or by mail using the address on the summons. Also mail a copy to the party filing the suit. You must file your answer by the due date. If you fail to do so, you may automatically lose the case without being allowed to defend yourself.