A summons is not a suggestion. It means someone filed a case and the clock to respond is already running. Ignoring it is the one move that guarantees the worst outcome. Read the deadline first.
Calendar the deadline immediately. File before it, not on it. Missing it can mean the other side wins by default judgment, without you ever being heard.
A summons is a court document telling you that someone has filed a lawsuit against you. It names who sued you, what for, which court the case is in, and how long you have to file your response. It usually arrives with a complaint — the document laying out the claims against you.
Read the papers: who sued you, what for, which court, and the deadline to file your response. The deadline is often 20–30 days from service, but the exact number and the exact counting rules are in the papers and depend on the state and court. Don't guess — read it, and calendar it the day you get the papers.
If you don't respond by the deadline, the other side can ask the court for a default judgment — a win without you ever being heard. That judgment can then be enforced against you. Ignoring a summons doesn't make a case go away; it hands the other side the win.
You can respond yourself, or talk to a lawyer or legal aid office — many offer free consultations, and legal aid exists in most areas. A response usually means filing an answer with the court by the deadline and serving a copy on the other side. Whatever route you take, the deadline doesn't move while you decide — start now.
Look up legal aid in your area, or a lawyer who offers a free consultation for your kind of case. Bring every page of the papers and the envelope, and a note of when and how you were served — that information matters to anyone helping you.
Often 20–30 days depending on the state and court. The exact deadline is in the papers — find it and calendar it immediately.
Yes, you can file a response yourself. But a lawyer or legal aid office can help you respond correctly, and many offer free consultations.
A default judgment is a court win for the other side because you didn't respond in time. It can then be enforced against you, even though your side was never heard.
Improper service can matter, but don't assume it saves you — the clock may still be running. Keep every page and envelope, note when and how the papers reached you, and raise the issue with a lawyer or legal aid promptly, before the deadline.
Upload the papers — get the deadline pulled out in plain English, free summaryPlainEnvelope Pro ($6.99/month) adds an action plan and a draft reply. Deadline reminders are coming soon.
Information only, not legal advice. This page explains general information about a summons; it is not advice about your specific case. For advice about your case, talk to a lawyer or a legal aid office.