How to Respond to a Debt Collection Lawsuit in Ohio
The deadline to answer a debt lawsuit in Ohio, where to file, and what happens if you don't respond.
Short answer: Serve a written answer within 28 days after you are served with the summons and complaint (Ohio Civil Rule 12(A)). Ohio Civ.R. 12(A)(1); Ohio Attorney General, Debt Collection FAQs
| Answering a debt lawsuit | Serve a written answer within 28 days after you are served with the summons and complaint (Ohio Civil Rule 12(A)). The Ohio Attorney General advises not to ignore court papers and to file an answer if you dispute the amount or the debt. AG FAQ: https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/FAQ/Debt-collection-FAQs |
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| Time limit to sue on a written contract | 6 years for an action on a written contract. For a consumer debt (personal, family or household purposes) the period is 6 years whether or not the agreement is in writing, and it starts 30 days after the later of the last charge or the last payment by the consumer. Written-contract section: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2305.06. Both periods were shortened by S.B. 13 (134th GA), effective June 16, 2021. |
| How long a judgment lasts | A private judgment becomes dormant (and stops being a lien) unless, within 5 years after the judgment or its last renewal, the creditor issues an execution, files a certificate of judgment, garnishes, or starts a proceeding in aid of execution; each of these renews the 5-year period. A dormant judgment can be revived by an action brought within 10 years after it became dormant; interest does not accrue while it is dormant. Revival: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2325.18 |
Where to get help in Ohio
More Ohio debt & collections
- Statute of Limitations on Debt in Ohio
- Wage Garnishment in Ohio
- What Creditors Can't Take in Ohio
- All Ohio debt & collections rules
FAQ
How do I respond to a debt collection lawsuit in Ohio?
Serve a written answer within 28 days after you are served with the summons and complaint (Ohio Civil Rule 12(A)). The Ohio Attorney General advises not to ignore court papers and to file an answer if you dispute the amount or the debt.
What is the statute of limitations on debt in Ohio?
6 years for an action on a written contract. For a consumer debt (personal, family or household purposes) the period is 6 years whether or not the agreement is in writing, and it starts 30 days after the later of the last charge or the last payment by the consumer.
How long does a court judgment last in Ohio?
A private judgment becomes dormant (and stops being a lien) unless, within 5 years after the judgment or its last renewal, the creditor issues an execution, files a certificate of judgment, garnishes, or starts a proceeding in aid of execution; each of these renews the 5-year period. A dormant judgment can be revived by an action brought within 10 years after it became dormant; interest does not accrue while it is dormant.
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.