Get Az Small Claims (summons & Complaint) 2013-2025

Rule 4.2(c) states: “the party may serve the person by mailing the summons and a copy of the pleading being served to the person at that address by any form of postage-prepaid mail that requires a signed and returned receipt.” Once the filing party receives the signed, return receipt, he or she must file an affidavit ...

The defendant must file a written answer within 20 days of service and mail it to the plaintiff. The defendant will be required to pay a filing fee when filing an answer. If the defendant cannot afford the filing fee, the defendant can ask the clerk for a fee waiver/deferral application.

If a defendant is not served with process within 90 days after the complaint is filed, the court--on motion, or on its own after notice to the plaintiff--must dismiss the action without prejudice against that defendant or order that service be made within a specified time.

After service of the petition, the Respondent must file a response within 20 days if he or she lives in Arizona. If the Respondent lives outside of Arizona, he or she would have 30 days to file a response.

A summons usually requires you to respond in one of two ways. The first is a physical appearance in court, which is more common in criminal cases. Civil case summons may require you to file an answer by a certain date. Regarding the latter, your answer is your response to the alleged complaint.

In any event, the serving party must mail the summons, the pleading being served, and any court order authorizing an alternative means of service to the last-known business or residential address of the person being served.

The person to whom a summons or other process is directed may accept service, or waive issuance or service thereof, in writing, signed by that person or by that person's authorized agent or attorney, and the acceptance or waiver shall be filed in the action.

Complete the Arizona Answer form and file it within 20 days of receipt of your Summons and Complaint....Ensure that you: Answer each issue/ paragraph on your Complaint. Assert your affirmative defenses. File your Answer with the court and send a copy to the plaintiff.