When you receive a court summon, it is all but natural to feel a bit scared. But do not let panic set in – make sure that you seek out legal assistance immediately to help you respond to a summons in a timely manner. An attorney can therefore give you an idea on what you should do and how to write your response letter in order for the court to rule in your favor. To give you an idea on the best response to a summons, you can take note of the following step-by-step flowchart: 1. Read the summons thoroughly. If you have trouble understanding legal terms, consult your attorney regarding them. 2. The response letter will vary according to whether you admit to the money you are being summoned for or not. Devise your response accordingly. 3. Always check the time period indicated by the judge wherein you can answer a summons. Make sure to send your response letter within the said time frame in order for it to be considered by the court or else it will become null and void. 4. In case you admit to the money owed, get in touch with the plaintiff’s attorney. You should discuss on how to settle the amount in question. 5. Once you have submitted your response letter, wait for the magistrate’s court to advise you on the next steps in the case. If you want to refute the claim of money being owed, you will get a chance to present your defense to the court. The plaintiff is also given the opportunity to send a reply to your defense and a trial date will be set in case no agreement is reached between both parties. There are several other steps involved in between each item. Thus, working closely with an attorney in drafting your response to a summons is crucial to ensure you get things right every step of the way.
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