Respond to a Small Claims Lawsuit
A small claims complaint contains the claims against a Defendant and a demand for money damages of up to $6,000. The summons contains the day, time, and location of the court date. Failure to appear on the date listed in the summons puts the Defendant at risk of losing the case.
Defendants do not need to take action before they appear, but may request a new court date, file a counterclaim or cross-claim, or file a third party complaint against someone not in the lawsuit.