in law, a written pleading filed by a defendant to respond to a complaint in a lawsuit
filed and served upon that defendant. An answer generally responds to each allegation
in the complaint by denying or admitting it, or admitting in part and denying in
part. The answer may also com- prise "affirmative defenses" including allegations
which contradict the complaint or contain legal theories (like "unclean hands,"
"contributory negligence" or "anticipatory breach") which are intended to derail
the claims in the complaint. Sometimes the answer is in the form of a "general denial,"
denying everything. The answer must be in typed form, follow specific rules of pleading
established by law and the courts, and be filed with the court and served on the
defendant within a specific statutory time (e. g. 20 or 30 days after service of
the complaint). If the complaint is verified as under penalty of perjury, the answer
must be also. There is a fairly steep filing fee for each defendant filing an answer.
In short, if served a complaint, one should see a lawyer as soon as possible to
prevent a default judgment.
See also complaint demurrer general denial verification
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