How to Respond to a Debt Collection Lawsuit in Minnesota
The deadline to answer a debt lawsuit in Minnesota, where to file, and what happens if you don't respond.
Short answer: Serve a written answer on the plaintiff within 21 days after you are served with the summons. The deadline runs from service of the summons. Minn. R. Civ. P. 12.01
| Answering a debt lawsuit | Serve a written answer on the plaintiff within 21 days after you are served with the summons. The deadline runs from service of the summons. Source: Minn. R. Civ. P. 12.01 |
|---|---|
| Time limit to sue on a written contract | 6 years for consumer debts (personal, family or household) and for contract actions generally. § 541.05: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/541.05 Source: Minn. Stat. § 541.053; § 541.05 |
| How long a judgment lasts | 10 years. An action on a judgment must be started within 10 years after the judgment is entered. Source: Minn. Stat. § 541.04 |
Where to get help in Minnesota
- Minnesota Attorney General's Office (consumer complaints); Minnesota Department of Commerce (licenses collection agencies)
- File a complaint or claim
More Minnesota debt & collections
- Statute of Limitations on Debt in Minnesota
- Wage Garnishment in Minnesota
- What Creditors Can't Take in Minnesota
- Medical Debt Protections in Minnesota
- All Minnesota debt & collections rules
FAQ
How do I respond to a debt collection lawsuit in Minnesota?
Serve a written answer on the plaintiff within 21 days after you are served with the summons. The deadline runs from service of the summons.
What is the statute of limitations on debt in Minnesota?
6 years for consumer debts (personal, family or household) and for contract actions generally.
How long does a court judgment last in Minnesota?
10 years. An action on a judgment must be started within 10 years after the judgment is entered.
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.