If you have not received the summons, it is not not necessary for you to appear in the court. But keep an eye on the proceedings of the case, as the complainant may get a warrant issued against you by mischievously showing that the summons were duly served on or refused by the accused.

You must fill out an Answer, serve the plaintiff, and file your Answer form with the court. Generally, this is due within 30 days after you were served. If you don't, the plaintiff can ask for a default. If there's a default, the court won't let you file an Answer and can decide the case without you.

You have 30 days AFTER the date you are served to file a response with the court. The 30 days include weekend days and court holidays.

Go to the courthouse address listed at the top of the Complaint you were served with. At the courthouse, file the forms by giving the original and the 2 copies of the Answer and Proof of Service to the clerk. The clerk will stamp the forms. The court will keep the original and return the copies to you.

The exception, then, is one which is claimed to permit a defense not otherwise available to be raised in an unlawful detainer action. But none of the cases hold that a defendant may seek affirmative relief, or bring in other parties as defendants seek to do here, by a cross-complaint.

How to serve your Answer Choose a server. Ask another adult to mail a copy of the Answer and other forms you plan to file for you. ... Your server mails a copy of the Answer. ... Your server signs a Proof of Service form.

If you are adding new parties to the lawsuit, you will also need to complete a Summons-Cross Complaint (SUM-110) for the Cross-Complaint and have the new parties personally served with the Summons and Cross-Complaint. After service is complete, the server must complete the Proof of Service3 of Summons (POS-010) form.