If I have been served papers as a third party defendant in an accident, how do I answer it myself?

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If I have been served papers as a third party defendant in an accident, how do I answer it myself?

I have no money to pay to have a letter prepared for me to answer.

Asked on October 14, 2014 under Accident Law, Tennessee

Answers:

S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 9 years ago | Contributor

A letter won't be sufficient as a response.

You need to file an answer to the complaint.  The complaint is the lawsuit attached to the summons.  Your answer to the complaint must be filed with the court prior to the deadline stated on the summons.  You will also need to serve by mail the other parties in the case.

At the law library, look in the index of Pleading and Practice for answer to a complaint.  This will give you the general format for an answer to a complaint.  Ask the law librarian to help you find it.

After drafting the answer, make extra copies and file it with the court with an attached proof of service.  The proof of service verifies that you mailed it to the other parties.  List the names and addresses of the other parties on the proof of service.  You can use a court form proof of service or you can write your own.  If you write your own, it just says that the attached documents were sent via first class mail unless stated otherwise on ________ (date) to ___________  (names and addresses of the other parties.  Sign and date it under penalty of perjury at the bottom of the proof of service.


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