How to Respond to a Debt Collection Lawsuit in Kentucky
The deadline to answer a debt lawsuit in Kentucky, where to file, and what happens if you don't respond.
Short answer: File a written Answer with the Circuit Court Clerk in the county named on the summons within 20 days after you were served (the count starts the day after service), and serve a copy on the plaintiff or its attorney with a certificate of service. Summons form AOC-105; KRS 24A.230 (small claims)
| Answering a debt lawsuit | File a written Answer with the Circuit Court Clerk in the county named on the summons within 20 days after you were served (the count starts the day after service), and serve a copy on the plaintiff or its attorney with a certificate of service. If no Answer is filed, a default judgment may be entered. In small claims court no written answer is required, but you must appear at the hearing. Collection agencies and assignees of claims may not file in small claims court (Small Claims Handbook P-6: https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Help/Documents/P-6_Small_Claims_Handbook.pdf). |
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| Time limit to sue on a written contract | 10 years to sue on a written contract signed after July 15, 2014. 15 years for written contracts signed on or before that date. KRS 413.090: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=43545 Source: KRS 413.160; KRS 413.090(2) |
| How long a judgment lasts | A judgment can be enforced by an action on the judgment for 15 years, counted from the date of the last execution issued on it. Each new execution starts the 15-year period again. Source: KRS 413.090(1) |
Where to get help in Kentucky
More Kentucky debt & collections
- Statute of Limitations on Debt in Kentucky
- Wage Garnishment in Kentucky
- What Creditors Can't Take in Kentucky
- All Kentucky debt & collections rules
FAQ
How do I respond to a debt collection lawsuit in Kentucky?
File a written Answer with the Circuit Court Clerk in the county named on the summons within 20 days after you were served (the count starts the day after service), and serve a copy on the plaintiff or its attorney with a certificate of service. If no Answer is filed, a default judgment may be entered. In small claims court no written answer is required, but you must appear at the hearing.
What is the statute of limitations on debt in Kentucky?
10 years to sue on a written contract signed after July 15, 2014. 15 years for written contracts signed on or before that date.
How long does a court judgment last in Kentucky?
A judgment can be enforced by an action on the judgment for 15 years, counted from the date of the last execution issued on it. Each new execution starts the 15-year period again.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.