This is done by putting your request in writing and sending it to the court and to the plaintiff. Once you have been served with the citation, you have 14 days to file an answer, which is your response to your lawsuit. You must give your answer to the court and also send it to the plaintiff.
Dear debt collector, I am responding to your contact about collecting a debt. You contacted me by phone/mail, on date and identified the debt as any information they gave you about the debt. I do not have any responsibility for the debt you're trying to collect.
General Denial: I deny all of the Plaintiff's allegations in this complaint or petition. I request notice of all hearings in this case. Note: Entering a general denial does not prevent you from raising other defenses at trial.
If a debt collector sues you in the state of Texas, you need to take action. First, fill out and file your answer form — this is your response to the lawsuit. Then, provide a copy of the filed (stamped) forms to the plaintiff (the debt collector) and keep a copy for your own records.
You can file your answer at any time after the plaintiff files its Petition (the form that starts lawsuit) with the court. If you file your answer now, the plaintiff will not need to have you served. Important: The 20-day deadline applies to cases filed in the district courts and county courts at law.
To file online, go to E-File Texas ( ) 11 and follow the instructions. To file in person, take your answer (and copies) to the district clerk's office in the county where the plaintiff filed the case. At the clerk's office: Turn in your answer form (and copies).
In a county or district court, the defendant must answer “on or before a.m. on the Monday next after the expiration of 20 days after the date of service thereof.” Tex. R. Civ.
Generally, in Texas, an Answer (response to a lawsuit or complaint filed in court) is due by 10 a.m. on Monday after the expiration of 20 days from the date of service. If the 20th day falls on a weekend, go to the Monday that follows.
(b) The counterclaim or cross claim must be filed not later than the 30th day after the date on which the party's answer is required.
A counterclaim may or may not diminish or defeat the recovery sought by the opposing party. It may claim relief exceeding in amount or different in kind from that sought in the pleading of the opposing party, so long as the subject matter is within the jurisdiction of the court.