Pennsylvania Debt Lawsuit Answer Form: what to file, where, and by when
Last verified against official court sources: 2026-07-02
Pennsylvania's biggest surprise: in Magisterial District Judge (MDJ) court — where most consumer debt suits up to $12,000 start — there is no written answer at all. You return the Notice of Intent to Defend that came with your complaint (at least 5 days before the hearing) and then you must appear at the hearing. In Court of Common Pleas cases, a written answer is due within 20 days of the Notice to Defend.
MDJ court: the Notice of Intent to Defend IS the form
Rule 305 of the minor-court rules lets you return the enclosed Notice of Intent to Defend form, send an identical signed statement, or even notify the court in person or by phone. For Common Pleas there is no statewide answer form, but Philadelphia and Allegheny counties publish official local ones.
The Pennsylvania twist
Filing the notice is not enough — you must show up
Even with a Notice of Intent to Defend on file, failing to appear at the MDJ hearing means a default judgment. And losing at the MDJ is not the end: Pennsylvania gives you 30 days to appeal for a completely fresh trial (de novo) in the Court of Common Pleas. Philadelphia residents note: Philadelphia Municipal Court is its own track with the same show-up rule.
Deadlines, filing, fees, and service
- Deadline: MDJ — return the Notice of Intent to Defend at least 5 days before the hearing, then appear. Common Pleas — written answer within 20 days of the Notice to Defend (Pa.R.C.P. 1026(a)).
- Filing: MDJ courts take the notice by mail, phone, or in person — no e-filing needed. Common Pleas e-filing is county-by-county (mandatory in Philadelphia).
- Fee: none for the Notice of Intent to Defend; counterclaims also carry no filing fee at the MDJ (service costs can apply).
- Serving the plaintiff: at the MDJ, the court handles notice. In Common Pleas, serve your answer on the plaintiff's counsel with a certificate of service (Pa.R.C.P. 440).
Common questions
Is there an answer form for a Pennsylvania magistrate court debt case?
No — MDJ court has no written answer. Return the Notice of Intent to Defend included with your complaint at least 5 days before the hearing date, then attend the hearing. The hearing is where the case is decided.
What happens if I lose at the magisterial district court?
You have 30 days to appeal to the Court of Common Pleas, where the case is heard completely fresh — the MDJ result carries no weight. Debt buyers frequently do not pursue appealed cases with the same energy.
When does the 20-day written answer apply in Pennsylvania?
When you are sued in the Court of Common Pleas — the complaint arrives with a formal "Notice to Defend" and you have 20 days to file a written answer. Philadelphia and Allegheny counties publish official answer forms; elsewhere you draft your own.
Does responding to a PA debt lawsuit cost anything?
The Notice of Intent to Defend is free, and counterclaims at the MDJ carry no filing fee (ancillary service costs can apply). Common Pleas practice varies by county.
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.