How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Kentucky (2024 Guide)

February 4, 2024

How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Kentucky (2024 Guide)

Don’t let a debt lawsuit catch you off guard in Kentucky. Respond within 20 days using ZumaZip’s convenient Answer form. Easily address each allegation and assert your defenses to protect your rights.

Receiving a civil summons for debt in Kentucky can be distressing, but it’s important to realize that you’re not alone. According to the Urban Institute, 32% of Kentuckians have debt in collections, which is higher than the national average of 26%. Despite this, many individuals feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to respond when faced with a summons.

If you’re tempted to ignore your summons and hope it goes away, it’s crucial to pause and reconsider. Ignoring the summons won’t make the problem disappear—in fact, it can lead to serious consequences, including a default judgment against you. Instead, taking proactive steps to respond to the summons is key to protecting your rights and potentially achieving a favorable outcome in court.

While facing a debt lawsuit can be intimidating, it’s essential to remember that you still have rights under Kentucky debt collection laws. By responding to the summons and presenting your case effectively, you may be able to contest the allegations against you and even avoid having to pay the debt altogether.

Fortunately, tools like ZumaZip can make the response process much easier and less stressful. With ZumaZip, you can create a comprehensive answer to your Kentucky summons and complaint in just 15 minutes. Additionally, ZumaZip offers the option to have your response reviewed by an attorney before filing, providing you with added confidence in your defense strategy.

Before diving into the details of answering your summons and complaint, it’s essential to fully understand what a civil summons entails in Kentucky and how the process works. By arming yourself with knowledge and taking proactive steps to address the summons, you can navigate the legal process with confidence and protect your rights effectively.

What is a Civil Summons in KY?

A civil case is a type of legal case that handles legal actions between private individuals, whereas criminal cases handle cases in which a crime has been committed. Therefore, all debt lawsuits are considered civil cases because no crime has been committed.

Kentucky Civil Summons is an official form used to notify a party that legal action has been taken against them. This document is usually accompanied by a Complaint document, which lists the specific claims being made in the lawsuit.

The Summons form includes information such as:

The plaintiff’s name
The defendant’s name
The title and case file number
The court to hear the case
The attorneys’ names
Instructions on how to respond to the Complaint

You’re probably wondering, “What is a plaintiff? What is a defendant?” Well, the plaintiff is the person or company who initiated the lawsuit and is suing someone else. The defendant, on the other hand, is the person being sued. So, if you are being sued for a debt you owe, you are the defendant in your case.

Both the plaintiff and defendant must follow the Kentucky civil rules for their case to be valid. For example, the plaintiff must file paperwork indicating they served the defendant with the suit, while the defendant must respond to the suit within the deadline determined by the state.

So, how long do you have to answer your Civil Summons in KY, and how do you go about it? Below, we break it down for you.

Respond to a Kentucky Summons for debt collection before the deadline

In Kentucky, you have 20 days after receiving a Summons and Complaint to file an Answer under Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure 12.01. More specifically, the law states:

“A defendant shall serve his/her answer within 20 days after service of the summons upon him/her.”

Learning that you are being sued can be intimidating, and many people react by wanting to bury their heads in the sand. However, once you have been served a Summons or Complaint, you have no choice but to address the issue.

If you aren’t sure whether you’ve received a Kentucky Civil Summons, here’s what it could look like.

We can’t stress enough how important it is to respond before the deadline. If you miss it, you automatically lose your case. After 20 days, the creditor or debt collector can request a default judgment against you, and the court will most likely grant it. With a default judgment, they can garnish your wages or put liens on your properties.

Even if there is an error in your debt collection Summons and Complaint, don’t ignore it. Regardless of the reason you failed to meet the deadline, you’ll have to pay the debt stated in the Complaint if you don’t file an Answer. When you respond within the 20-day deadline, there’s a great chance you could win your case.

Let’s take a look at an example scenario:

Dick and Jane’s situation highlights the importance of responding promptly and effectively to a debt summons. While Jane took proactive steps to address the summons by using ZumaZip to draft and file her answer, Dick chose to ignore the summons, ultimately leading to unfavorable consequences.

By responding to the summons and contesting the allegations, Jane was able to uncover inaccuracies in the lawsuit and negotiate a favorable settlement for a reduced amount. In contrast, Dick’s failure to file an answer resulted in a default judgment being issued against him, allowing the creditor to pursue the full amount of the debt without challenge.

This example underscores the critical importance of taking action when faced with a debt summons. Whether it’s addressing inaccuracies in the lawsuit, asserting affirmative defenses, or negotiating a settlement, responding to the summons gives individuals the opportunity to protect their rights and achieve a more favorable outcome in court.

Use a Kentucky Answer to Summons form

The fastest way to create an Answer to a Summons and Complaint is to use ZumaZip’s Answer form. To fill out the form, you just respond to a series of questions about your case, and you’ll have a completed Answer in under 15 minutes.

If you’d rather create an Answer on your own, here is a general Kentucky Answer form you can use to respond. The basic format of Kentucky’s form is pretty similar to ZumaZip, but you just have to fill in all the blanks on your own instead. You can always fill this form out by yourself, but using ZumaZip’s form makes it easier to respond with the proper legal language and wording.

Kentucky does not charge a fee to file an Answer

Woohoo! There are no fees to file an Answer to a Complaint against you in the state of Kentucky. However, if you plan to file other types of documents into a lawsuit, there may be filing fees involved.

Click here to learn more about Kentucky’s civil filing fees.

Follow these steps to respond to a debt collection case in Kentucky

When a creditor files a debt collection lawsuit against you in Kentucky, they will serve you with a Summons and Complaint. It may arrive in person or by mail, delivered by a sheriff, constable, or court-appointed special bailiff.

Before you start drafting your Answer, go through your Kentucky Summons and Complaint to ensure you have the information you’ll need. These documents should contain the following, which you will need to draft your Answer document:

Defendant’s first and last name (that’s you)
Plaintiff’s name (the creditor or debt collector suing you)
Plaintiff’s attorney information
Physical address of both parties
Court information, including which division the case is in and the court’s address
Case number
Debt amount

Make sure to include all this information at the top of your Answer document. This is known as “styling,” and it is standard legal practice for this document. Double-check that you accurately included all the information. Then you can start working on your Answer.

Once you’ve reviewed the Summons and Complaint, follow these three steps to respond to the debt collection lawsuit:

Answer each allegation mentioned in the Complaint.
Include affirmative defenses.
File the Answer with the court and send a copy to the plaintiff’s attorney.

We know there’s a lot of legal jargon in here. Don’t worry.

ZumaZip understands that responding to a debt lawsuit can be daunting, but we’re here to ease your worries and guide you through the process. Our user-friendly platform is designed to simplify the entire process of drafting and filing your response, ensuring that you complete each step correctly.

With ZumaZip, you can have peace of mind knowing that you’re taking the right steps to address the lawsuit effectively. Whether you need assistance with drafting your response, understanding legal requirements, or navigating the court system, ZumaZip is your trusted partner every step of the way.

Don’t let the complexity of a debt lawsuit overwhelm you. Let ZumaZip be your ally in achieving a successful outcome and protecting your rights.

1. Answer each allegation mentioned in the Complaint

In case you’re feeling overwhelmed by the legal terms, an Answer is simply a response to the allegations listed in the Complaint document. When you look at the Complaint, you can identify the allegations because they show up as a list of numbered paragraphs.

The first section of your Answer document should include a list of responses that correspond with the numbered allegations from the Complaint. Generally, you need to enter a response for each allegation. You can answer in one of three ways:

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

It’s best to respond to each allegation individually, because if you leave any unanswered, the court will consider it an admission.

Most attorneys recommend that you deny as many allegations as possible. At this stage of the lawsuit, the burden of proof is not on you. So when you deny a claim, the plaintiff has to do more work to prove that it is true. If they don’t have the proper documentation or evidence to prove their claims, they might choose to dismiss the case instead.

ZumaZip helps you respond with the right language.

As you’re responding to allegations, keep in mind that Kentucky allows you to amend your Answer, but it must be in good faith (for an honest and legitimate reason). According to Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure 15.01, you can amend your Answer within the first 20 days after receiving the Kentucky Civil Summons and Complaint. If 20 days have already passed, you can request for a written permission from the plaintiff OR permission from the court (also known as “leave of court”) to amend.

Because amending a response means more work and stress for you, it’s best to read through the allegations slowly and provide answers you feel are truthful and accurate the first time.

2. Include affirmative defenses

The next section of your Answer should be where you state your affirmative defenses.

Affirmative defenses are an essential part of your Answer because they provide reasons the collector should lose the case. There is a wide range of defenses, but only some will apply in a debt collection case.

Here is a list of common affirmative defenses to use in a debt lawsuit:

Expired statute of limitations: The statute of limitations is the time limit that a creditor or debt collector can sue someone for a debt. The Kentucky statute of limitations on debt collection is 10 years after the date of your last payment. So, if you haven’t made any payments on your account in 10 or more years, it has already passed the statute of limitations. This means that your creditor does not have the legal right to sue you. If this affirmative defense applies to your debt, use it.
Incorrect debt amount listed: Use this affirmative defense if the amount of debt in the Kentucky Civil Summons and Complaint is incorrect, whether due to a creditor’s error or you having paid the debt already.
Canceled contract: Use this affirmative defense if you had a contract with the creditor but canceled it, and they are still charging you for a debt you don’t owe.
Stolen or mistaken identity: If a creditor is suing you for a debt that isn’t yours—for example, you share a name with someone, and it is their debt—you should use the mistaken identity affirmative defense. Secondly, the debt could be in your name, but you did not apply for, receive, or use the credit card. If this is the case, use identity theft as an affirmative defense.
No relationship to the debtor or creditor: If the original creditor sold your debt to a collection agency, use this affirmative defense. The collection agency has to give proof that they purchased your debt from the initial creditor to continue with the lawsuit.

ZumaZip can help you make the right affirmative defenses.

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

Now that your Answer is complete, all that’s left is to file it with the court and send a copy to the plaintiff’s lawyer. This step is incredibly important. If your Answer isn’t received by both parties by the deadline, a default judgment could be entered and you may have to pay the debt in full.

To file your answer on your own, follow these three steps:

Make two copies of your Answer.
Mail one copy to the court.
Mail one copy to the plaintiff’s attorney.

ZumaZip can also file your Answer for you in all 50 states.

Be careful about getting the mailing address of the court right, sometimes the address may not be clear on your Kentucky Summons. In fact, the mailing address of your court may even be different from the physical address of the courthouse.

It’s an excellent idea to spend the extra bucks and send your Answer via USPS Certified Mail. Make sure to request a confirmation receipt and make copies of everything so you have proof that your Answer arrived.

ZumaZip is your ultimate tool for battling debt collectors and handling debt-related legal matters with ease. Our platform offers a comprehensive suite of features designed to empower individuals facing debt lawsuits and collection efforts.

With ZumaZip, you can efficiently respond to debt lawsuits, communicate with collectors through professionally drafted letters, and even negotiate settlements—all from the comfort of your own home. Our Answer service guides you through the process step by step, ensuring that you provide all the necessary information to formulate a strong response.

To further enhance the quality of your response, ZumaZip offers attorney review services. Our team of legal experts will carefully examine your document to ensure accuracy and effectiveness before filing it on your behalf.

Don’t let debt collectors intimidate you. Take control of your financial situation with ZumaZip and protect your rights with confidence.

Statute of limitations on debt in Kentucky

The Kentucky statute of limitations on debt collections is 10 years in most cases. After 10 years, the creditor no longer has the legal grounds to to sue you. Once the statute of limitations expires, your debt should also be removed from your credit report. If, on the other hand, you have medical debt, under Kentucky medical debt collection laws there is usually a written contract, which means you could be looking at a 15-year statute of limitations.

Unfortunately, the statute of limitations won’t stop creditors and debt collectors from suing you. They’re counting on you being ignorant. Think about it; most people have never even heard of the statute of limitations, and they’re hoping you fall under this umbrella. This is why you should always check the statute of limitations on your debt before responding to your case.

Remember, when you make payments on a debt account, it restarts the clock on the statute of limitations. So, when a debt collector contacts you, investigate the debt before handing over your money. If you don’t, you might end up paying for a debt that is no longer valid.

The table below lists Kentucky’s statutes of limitations on different types of debt:

Debt Type	Deadline
Credit Card	10 years
Medical	10 years
Student Loan	10 years
Auto Loan	10 years
Mortgage	10 years
Personal Loan	10 years
Judgment	15 years
Source: Ky. Rev. Stat. § 413.090 and § 413.160

Utilize Kentucky legal aid organizations

Like all U.S. states, the state of Kentucky has several government-funded organizations that offer free legal services to state residents.

Here are the existing organizations in Kentucky and their contact information:

Find your Kentucky court locations

In some cases, the court address may not be clear on your Kentucky Summons. In that case, you can use the Kentucky Justice Court website to find the address of the court you are looking for. Just use the dropdown menu under “About the Courts” to select your court jurisdiction, then use the dropdown menu under counties to select the county in which you live. Keep in mind that the mailing address and the physical address are sometimes different. To make things easy, you can let ZumaZip file for you.

If you are completing this process on your own and need help, you can contact the Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts (Kentucky AOC) here.

Ready to respond to your Kentucky Civil Summons

Answering your KY Civil Summons does not have to be an arduous task or a time-consuming ordeal affair. ZumaZip can alleviate the stress of going through this process by using our professionally drafted Answer.

If you do not want your case to be heard in court, ZumaZip’s Motion to Compel Arbitration can help you request the creditor to settle out of court. Watch this video on how to navigate through ZumaZip

ZumaZip offers a user-friendly platform to respond to debt lawsuits, negotiate with collectors, and settle debts. Our step-by-step Answer service simplifies the process, guiding you through each step and ensuring accuracy. Let ZumaZip ease the burden of debt collection disputes for you.

What is ZumaZip?

ZumaZip is a convenient solution designed to streamline your response to a debt collection lawsuit. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect when you use ZumaZip:

Firstly, you’ll access our user-friendly web application, which guides you through the process step by step. You’ll be prompted to answer a series of questions related to your specific situation. Once you’ve completed the questionnaire, you have the option to either print out the finalized forms and mail them to the appropriate courts yourself, or you can opt to utilize ZumaZip’s services to file them on your behalf. Additionally, if you choose this option, an attorney will review your document for added peace of mind.

If you’re seeking guidance on how to effectively respond to a debt collection lawsuit, ZumaZip can provide the assistance you need. Feel free to explore our FAQs for more information on what ZumaZip has to offer.

What if I haven’t been sued yet?

If you’ve only received a collections notice, but not a lawsuit, the best way to respond is with a Debt Validation Letter. When a debt collector contacts you in any way, whether it’s by phone or mail, you can respond by formally requesting a debt validation with a Debt Validation Letter . This letter notifies the collector that you dispute the debt and forces them to provide proof you owe the debt. They can’t call you or continue collecting until they provide validation of the debt. This flowchart shows how you can use a Debt Validation Letter to win.

Get started with a Debt Validation Letter here.

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:

Guides on how to beat every debt collector

Hey there! Facing off against a debt collector can feel like a daunting challenge, but fear not! We’re here to help you navigate through it all with our handy guides designed to assist you in beating every debt collector you encounter. Whether you’re facing a new lawsuit or dealing with a persistent collector, we’ve got your back. Stay positive, stay informed, and let’s tackle this together!

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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.