Nevada Debt Lawsuit Answer Form: what to file, where, and by when
Last verified against official court sources: 2026-07-13
Nevada justice courts — where debt claims up to $15,000 are filed — require a written answer within 21 days of service (JCRCP 12(a)(1)(A); the rules were replaced in October 2024, so older guides saying 20 days are outdated). Clark County defendants have a court-approved "Answer (Debt or Loan)" packet from the Civil Law Self-Help Center with a built-in affirmative-defenses checklist. Filing costs $71 in Las Vegas Justice Court; a fee waiver is available for low-income defendants.
Court-approved forms exist — county by county, not statewide
The Civil Law Self-Help Center (run by Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada under contract with Clark County) publishes answer packets approved for use in all Clark County courts: Answer (Debt or Loan), Answer (Auto Deficiency), Answer (Payday Loan), and a generic version, each with a JCRCP 8 affirmative-defenses checklist. Other counties maintain their own forms — ask the clerk of the justice court on your summons. District-court cases over $15,000 use separate packets.
The Nevada twist
The deadline changed under everyone's feet — and answering costs $71
Nevada replaced its justice court civil rules effective October 29, 2024, moving the answer deadline from 20 to 21 days — cached guides and old self-help pages still say 20. The second surprise is the price tag: NRS 4.060 sets a statutory answer fee ($50 base), and with local add-ons Las Vegas Justice Court charges $71 to file an answer. Defendants at or below 150% of the federal poverty line can apply to waive it (NRS 12.015). Serve your answer on the plaintiff by mail and keep the certificate of mailing — the packet requires it.
Deadlines, filing, fees, and service
- Deadline: written answer within 21 days after service (JCRCP 12(a)(1)(A), effective Oct. 29, 2024). District court (claims over $15,000): 21 days under NRCP.
- Filing: Las Vegas Justice Court civil filings are electronic (eFileNV), but self-represented defendants can bring paper documents to the Regional Justice Center and staff scan them free; remote e-filing carries a small vendor fee (~$3.50/document). Rural counties vary; paper with the clerk is generally accepted.
- Fee: $71 in Las Vegas Justice Court ($46 per additional defendant); statutory base is NRS 4.060. Fee waiver: NRS 12.015 indigent-litigant application.
- Venue: justice courts hear money claims up to $15,000 (NRS 4.370(1)) — virtually all consumer debt-buyer suits.
Common questions
How long do I have to answer a Nevada debt lawsuit?
21 days from service in justice court — the rules changed in October 2024, so guides saying 20 days are out of date (the old number is at least the safe direction to err in).
Does it cost money to answer in Nevada?
Yes. The statutory defendant appearance fee is $50 (NRS 4.060), and Las Vegas Justice Court's posted total is $71. If you cannot afford it, apply to proceed as an indigent litigant under NRS 12.015 — the packet includes the pointer.
Is there an official Nevada answer form for debt cases?
Not statewide. Clark County has court-approved answer packets from the Civil Law Self-Help Center — including one built specifically for debt and loan cases — and other counties publish their own or accept a drafted answer. Ask the clerk on your summons.
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.