Arizona Debt Lawsuit Answer Form: what to file, where, and by when
Last verified against official court sources: 2026-07-13
Arizona requires a written answer within 20 calendar days of service (30 if served out of state) in justice court, where debt cases up to $10,000 must be filed — and unlike most states, Arizona charges a fee to file it: $75 for a civil answer and $46 for a small claims answer in Maricopa County justice courts (statutory base fees plus county surcharges; amounts vary by county). Official fillable answer forms exist, including Maricopa's Civil Answer form CV 8150-102 with a Spanish version.
Official forms exist — and even small claims requires a written answer
Maricopa County Justice Courts publish a fillable Civil Answer (CV 8150-102) with sworn signature and a built-in mailing certification, plus a separate small claims answer packet; other counties publish equivalents and the AOC hosts statewide fillable versions. There is no show-up-and-talk tier in Arizona: A.R.S. § 22-514 requires a written small claims answer within 20 days, and the official packet warns that failure to answer may result in default judgment.
The Arizona twist
Arizona makes you pay to defend yourself — budget for the answer fee
A defendant owes a filing fee just to answer: $75 civil / $46 small claims in Maricopa justice courts (A.R.S. § 22-281 base fees plus county surcharges — check your precinct's posted list), and $100-plus in superior court (A.R.S. § 12-284). An answer delivered without payment or a fee-deferral application bounces against the 20-day clock — file the Application for Deferral or Waiver of Court Fees with the answer if money is tight. Second clock: a disclosure statement is due within 40 days of answering (JCRCP 121), and missing it risks sanctions or default.
Deadlines, filing, fees, and service
- Deadline: written answer within 20 calendar days of service, 30 if served outside Arizona; applies in small claims too (A.R.S. § 22-514).
- Filing: paper with the justice court clerk, in person or by mail — AZTurboCourt e-filing covers superior court, not justice court civil answers. Mail a copy to the plaintiff and complete the certification on the form.
- Fee: Maricopa justice courts — $75 civil answer, $46 small claims answer; varies by county. Fee deferral/waiver application available and filed with the answer.
- Venue: justice courts hold exclusive jurisdiction of civil actions of $10,000 or less (A.R.S. § 22-201(B)); suits belong in the precinct where you live, and a pre-answer motion can fix a wrong-precinct filing.
Common questions
Does it really cost money to answer a lawsuit in Arizona?
Yes — Arizona is the standout fee state. In Maricopa County justice courts the answer fee is $75 (civil) or $46 (small claims); superior court charges $100 plus surcharges. A fee deferral or waiver application filed with the answer covers defendants who cannot pay.
Can I just show up at the hearing instead of answering in Arizona?
No. Even Arizona small claims requires a written answer within 20 days (A.R.S. § 22-514) — there is no appear-and-argue tier. Silence past the deadline invites default judgment.
What happens after I file my Arizona answer?
A disclosure statement is due within 40 days of the answer under justice court Rule 121 — a second deadline most defendants never hear about. Missing it can mean sanctions, dismissal of defenses, or default.
Primary sources
This page provides general legal information verified against the official sources linked above; it is not legal advice, and court rules change — confirm current requirements with your clerk of court. Answered is self-help software, not a law firm. If you can afford a lawyer, hire one.