Missouri Answer to Complaint is a legal document filed by a defendant or respondent in response to a complaint made against them in a civil lawsuit in the state of Missouri. It is used to formally present the defendant's position, defenses, and any counterclaims or set offs they may have in the case. The purpose of the Missouri Answer to Complaint is to provide a comprehensive response to each allegation stated in the complaint, either accepting or denying each claim made by the plaintiff. This response is crucial in the litigation process as it helps shape the subsequent course of the lawsuit. Keywords: Missouri, Answer to Complaint, legal document, defendant, respondent, civil lawsuit, position, defenses, counterclaims, set offs, allegation, plaintiff, litigation process. Different types of Missouri Answer to Complaint may include: 1. General Denial Answer: This type of answer denies each and every allegation made by the plaintiff in the complaint. It is used when the defendant intends to contest all claims and wishes to require the plaintiff to provide sufficient evidence to prove their case. 2. Specific Denial Answer: In this type of answer, the defendant responds to each allegation in the complaint individually, either admitting or denying them based on their personal knowledge or belief. It allows the defendant to contest specific claims while potentially acknowledging others. 3. Affirmative Defenses Answer: Besides admitting or denying the allegations, the defendant can assert affirmative defenses in their answer. Affirmative defenses raise legal reasons why the plaintiff should not prevail, even if the allegations are true. These defenses often include statutes of limitations, lack of jurisdiction, failure to state a claim, assumption of risk, or contributory negligence, among others. 4. Counterclaim or Cross-claim Answer: Depending on the circumstances, the defendant may assert a counterclaim or cross-claim against the plaintiff or another party involved in the lawsuit. This type of answer presents the defendant's allegations and request for relief against the opposing party. Remember, filing a Missouri Answer to Complaint is a critical step in the legal process, so seeking guidance from an experienced attorney is advisable to ensure accurate and appropriate responses are provided.