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Civil procedure

defendant's answer to lawsuit

When a plaintiff (person or entity) files a lawsuit, the person or entity being sued is generally known as the defendant. The defendant is served with (usually handed in person) a copy of the lawsuit, accompanied by information stating the time within which the defendant must file an answer to the lawsuit—usually 20 to 30 days after receipt of the lawsuit.

In Kansas, when a plaintiff initiates a lawsuit, the party being sued is referred to as the defendant. The defendant must be served with a copy of the lawsuit, which is a process that typically involves physically handing the documents to the defendant. This service of process also includes a summons, which informs the defendant of the time frame within which they are required to respond to the lawsuit. Under Kansas law, the defendant generally has 21 days to file an answer if they are served within the state of Kansas. If the defendant is served outside of Kansas but within the United States, they usually have 30 days to respond. It is important for defendants to adhere to these deadlines to avoid a default judgment, which can occur if they fail to respond in a timely manner. An attorney can provide specific guidance on responding to a lawsuit and the applicable deadlines.

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Civil procedure

defendant's answer to lawsuit

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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Kansas State Code

Kansas State Code

Civil procedure

defendant's answer to lawsuit

Articles