What to Do If You Receive a Court Summons

Receiving a court summons can send your heart racing, but the worst thing you can do is ignore it. Read the entire document carefully, note every deadline, and understand what is being asked of you. A summons typically tells you who is suing you, what the claim is about, and when you must respond. Ignoring it does not make it go away — it almost certainly leads to a default judgment against you, meaning the other party wins automatically.

Seek legal advice immediately, even if you think the claim is baseless. Many bar associations offer free or low-cost consultations. If you cannot afford a lawyer, look into legal aid services in your area. Respond within the deadline — even a simple acknowledgment that you received the summons buys you time. Keep the original document safe and make copies. This is a situation where procrastination has real, measurable consequences.