Answer
The defendant's formal written response to a lawsuit, addressing each claim made in the complaint.
An answer is the document a defendant files in response to a complaint. In the answer, the defendant goes through each allegation in the complaint and either admits it, denies it, or states that they do not have enough information to admit or deny it.
The answer may also include affirmative defenses – legal reasons why the defendant should win even if the plaintiff’s facts are true.
Why it matters: If you are sued and do not file an answer within the deadline (typically 20 days after being served in Minnesota), the court can enter a default judgment against you. That means the plaintiff could win without you ever being heard.
Example: You receive a complaint claiming you owe $5,000 on a contract. In your answer, you might deny that you agreed to the terms described and raise a defense that the contract was never properly signed.
Civil lawsuits, after being served with a complaint and summons