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How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Arizona (2024 Guide)

George Simons | June 21, 2024

George Simons
Co-Founder of SoloSuit
George Simons, JD/MBA

George Simons is the co-founder and CEO of SoloSuit. He has helped Americans protect over $1 billion from predatory debt lawsuits. George graduated from BYU Law school in 2020 with a JD-MBA. In his spare time, George likes to cook, because he likes to eat.

Edited by Hannah Locklear

Hannah Locklear
Editor at SoloSuit
Hannah Locklear, BA

Hannah Locklear is SoloSuit’s Marketing and Impact Manager. With an educational background in Linguistics, Spanish, and International Development from Brigham Young University, Hannah has also worked as a legal support specialist for several years.

Fact-checked by Patrick Austin, J.D.

Patrick Austin
Attorney from George Mason
Patrick Austin, JD

Patrick Austin is a licensed attorney with a background in data privacy and information security law. Patrick received his law degree at George Mason University's Antonin Scalia Law School, where he served as the Editor-in-Chief for the National Security Law Journal.

Summary: You have 20 days to respond to a debt lawsuit in Arizona. If you don't respond in time, you will lose automatically by default judgment. SoloSuit can help you respond to the lawsuit with an Answer and settle your debt before going to court. Keep reading to learn more about how to respond to a debt collection case in AZ.

Not sure how to Answer a Summons for debt collection in Arizona? Or if you should even Answer at all? Once a debt hits the point where a creditor is filing papers with the courts, it's essential to formally respond, or you risk having a default judgment entered against you. This can have serious financial consequences like wage garnishment, seizure of property, etc.

When answering a debt lawsuit, it's important to know and follow Arizona debt collection laws to give yourself the best footing possible with the courts.

On this page, you'll find FAQs and details on:

Respond to a Summons in Arizona.

Sued for debt in Arizona? SoloSuit can help you file an Answer into your case before the 20-day deadline.

Start my Answer.

What are a Summons and Complaint?

When a creditor sues you for debt, you'll generally receive two documents: a Summons and a Complaint. These are typically given to you by a process server, though sometimes a sheriff may deliver the documents or they may come via certified mail. This is referred to as “service of process” or “being served”. Without proper service, the person or business suing you does not have a valid lawsuit.

However, dodging the process server won't help your case, as servers are often allowed some leniency in regards to service. For example, if the server has made several, unsuccessful attempts to serve you the court documents, the court may accept notice in a publication in lieu of personal serving.

The Summons is an official document that explains you're being sued in civil claims court. The Complaint outlines what the other party says you've done and what they want in return. It does not necessarily mean you have done these things, only that they're alleging you have.

What's an Answer?

Just as the creditor who is suing you, or the plaintiff, must provide you with written information about the lawsuit, you, the defendant, are expected to provide a written response. This is referred to as an Answer. The Answer is a brief summary of whether or not you agree with the plaintiff on each allegation listed in the Complaint. It is not detailed narrative of events or explanation of financial hardship.

Do you have to Answer a Complaint and Summons?

Technically speaking, you aren't required to Answer an Arizona Summons or Complaint. However, ignoring one means a judgement can be made against you without the judge receiving your input or hearing your response. Oftentimes, the plaintiff receives everything they ask for when the defendant doesn't respond. The big debt collection agencies count on you taking no action because it lets them collect with minimal effort on their part. The allegations don't even need to be true.

Here's a video on how to respond to a summons in Arizona for debt collection:

Can You Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Arizona without an Attorney?

You aren't forced to to hire a lawyer to respond to a debt collection Summons. While you may prefer to work with an attorney if you have a more complicated case or believe the creditor behaved unethically, you can also complete the Answer on your own or use a tool like SoloSuit to walk you through the paperwork and submission process quickly. See the SoloSuit FAQ for details.

What if my Arizona Summons and Complaint list a Jane Doe?

The inclusion of “John Doe” or “Jane Doe” as a defendant on court paperwork generally means the plaintiff believes the defendant is married and is suing the spouse as well. In these cases, the spouse should file alongside the named defendant and sign the paperwork too.

What's the Arizona deadline for answering a debt collection Summons?

In most cases, you have 20 days from the date of service to respond. That means 20 days from the time you received the documents, not 20 days from the date stamped on the papers or the date they were filed with the court. However, the deadline for Answering a debt collection Summons in Arizona depends on how you were served.

For example, if you were served an Arizona Summons while you were in another state, the deadline is 30 days, not 20 days. If the creditor published a notice of your Summons in a publication rather than serving you personally, you have a 50-day window in state or a 60-day window out-of-state.

What's the statute of limitations on debt in Arizona?

Per the AZ statute of limitations, debt typically cannot be collected after six years. For example, A.R.S. § 12-548 addresses contracts in writing and credit cards. it allows the plaintiff to sue for up to six years “after the cause of action accrues.” On the other hand, the AZ statute of limitations on debt is reduced to three years if there was only an oral agreement, per A.R.S. § 12-543.

Statute of Limitations on Debt in Arizona
Debt Type Deadline
Oral Contract 3 years
Open Account 3 years
Credit Card 6 years
Medical 6 years
Student Loan 6 years
Auto Loan 6 years
Mortgage 6 years
Personal Loan 6 years
Judgment 10 years
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-543, § 12-548, and§ 12-1551

See SoloSuit's Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection by State for additional limitations and a state-by-state comparison.

Where can I get Answer to Summons forms in Arizona?

Generic Arizona Answer to Summons forms are available through county court websites as well as through the official Arizona Judicial Branch website.

What are the steps to respond to a debt collection case in Arizona?

There are four primary steps involved in Answering or responding to a debt collection case in Arizona.

Step 1: Create the Answer Document

Use an Answer form as provided above and include the unique details of your case including:

  • Your personal contact information such as name, address, and phone number
  • The plaintiff's contact information
  • The court's information
  • Case details such as the case number

Step 2: Answer Each Item in the Complaint

As you'll see in the Answer forms, you should respond to each allegation/paragraph in the Complaint. There are three ways to respond:

  • Admit the allegation
  • Deny the allegation
  • State that you do not have enough information to know whether the allegation is true or false

It's important to note that the plaintiff has the burden of proof in the beginning stages of a lawsuit. This means that, if you deny the allegations, the plaintiff must prove otherwise. This usually requires more work and time on the plaintiff's part. Because of this, attorneys generally recommend not to admit anything is true that you're not wholly certain of.

For example, if you don't know your account number, don't admit that you owe a certain amount of money on that account. If you're not sure that the plaintiff has jurisdiction or the right to sue, don't admit it's true. Some attorneys even advise defendants to deny every allegation in their Answer.

Step 3: List Affirmative Defenses if Applicable

The standardized Arizona Answer form contains roughly 20 potential affirmative defenses in the “Defenses and Denials” section as well as the opportunity to write in your own Answer. These assert that the plaintiff does not have a case because they've done something wrong. Some of the most commonly used affirmative defenses include:

  • Statute of Limitations: It's been more than six years since you broke your written agreement or three years since you broke a verbal agreement to pay the debt.
  • Insufficient Service of Process: You weren't given the Summons and/or Complaint or some part of the process was not handled properly.
  • Estoppel: The plaintiff led you to believe they would not enforce the contract.
  • Payment: You've paid some or all the debt.
  • Statute of Frauds (SOF): The agreement between plaintiff and defendant was not in writing but it needed to be in writing for it to be legally enforceable. This only applies in certain situations, such as when the value of goods being sold exceeds a certain amount or when the agreement cannot be fulfilled within a year.

In most cases, the only time you can bring certain defenses forth is when you provide your written Answer. In other words, if you fail to mention an affirmative defense at the onset, the court may not recognize it later. For this reason, it's important to consider every avenue you might take before submitting your Answer and check every box that's applicable. Also bear in mind that this is not the time to tell your side of the story, since the burden of proof is on the plaintiff and not you. Keep your Answers as brief as possible to avoid potentially weakening your case.

Step 4: File with the Court and Serve the Plaintiff

Once your paperwork is completed and signed, you should file the original copy with the court. Provided you've allowed enough time for processing, you can send the documents to the court through the U.S. mail. However, you can also deliver the papers to the court clerk or SoloSuit can file for you and can even handle overnight delivery.

You must also send a copy of the Answer to the plaintiff or, if they have a lawyer, to their attorney. Despite being referred to as “service,” you do not need to hire a process server. It can be sent via regular mail to the address included in the paperwork you received.

The Answer should include a Proof of Service, which declares that you have submitted the Answer to the court and plaintiff's attorney and includes the mailing addresses.

Remember to keep a copy of the Answer for yourself as well.

Possible routes you can take in a debt lawsuit

There are several routes you can take if you've been sued for debt. Each debt collection lawsuit is unique, but this flowchart can give you an idea of the possible actions you can take in your case:

Debt Collection Lawsuit Flowchart

Your Arizona court may charge you a filing fee

Unfortunately, some state courts charge an Answer filing fee. And Arizona is one of those states.

Answer filing fees by state. Courts that charge a filing fee to respond to a debt colleciton lawsuit.

In Arizona, you must pay anywhere from $40 to $245 to file an Answer to your debt lawsuit. It all depends on which court your case is in.

We know what you're thinking. And we agree! The practice of courts charging an Answer filing fee is absurd. We think it's one of the biggest impediments to justice in the United States.

If you have SoloSuit file your response and your court charges a filing fee, we'll let you know. We automatically calculate your filing fee, make it easy for you to pay it, and make sure that payment gets to your court on time.

Respond with SoloSuit

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>>Read the FastCompany article: Debt Lawsuits Are Complicated: This Website Makes Them Simpler To Navigate

>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit: A Student Solution To Give Utah Debtors A Fighting Chance

>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit. (We can help you in all 50 states.)

Settle your debt in Arizona

After you've taken the proper steps necessary to respond to your debt lawsuit, consider reaching out to your creditor or debt collector to negotiate a debt settlement.

As part of a debt settlement, you will make an agreement with the plaintiff to pay off your a portion of your debt in order to clear your name of it. If you are experiencing financial hardship, many creditors and collectors will work with you. Whether it's setting up a payment plan or paying a lump-sum percentage of the debt, settling is better than waiting for your wages to be garnished in the event that you lose the case.

Check out our guide on How to Settle a Debt in Arizona and watch the following video to learn more.

Do the Arizona Fair Debt Collection Practices Act guidelines apply when filing?

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) creates federal guidelines that protect consumers from companies that harass or behave unethically. The FDCPA outlines several things creditors cannot do and others that they must do when attetmpting to collect a debt. A few examples are listed below.

A creditor cannot:
  • Call you before 8am or 9pm
  • Make threats of any kind (including threats of wage garnishment, property seizure, or arrest)
  • Contact you if you've said debt is not yours
  • Make false statements

A creditor must:

  • Send you a written Validation Notice within five days of their first contact to you
  • Include in the Validation Notice who you owe money to, the total amount owed, and what to do if you think the debt isn't yours
  • Communicate only with the lawyer if you've found an attorney to represent you

Here are some further restrictions directly listed in the FDCPA:

FDCPA §805 and 806 place some restrictions on how debt collectors may contact you:

Without the prior consent of the consumer given directly to the debt collector or the express permission of a court of competent jurisdiction, a debt collector may not communicate with a consumer in connection with the collection of any debt --

(1) at any unusual time or place or a time or place known or which should be known to be inconvenient to the consumer. In the absence of knowledge of circumstances to the contrary, a debt collector shall assume that the convenient time for communicating with a consumer is after 8 o'clock antemeridian and before 9 o'clock postmeridian, local time at the consumer's location;

(2) if the debt collector knows the consumer is represented by an attorney with respect to such debt and has knowledge of, or can readily ascertain, such attorney's name and address, unless the attorney fails to respond within a reasonable period of time to a communication from the debt collector or unless the attorney consents to direct communication with the consumer; or

(3) at the consumer's place of employment if the debt collector knows or has reason to know that the consumer's employer prohibits the consumer from receiving such communication.

A debt collector may not engage in any conduct the natural consequence of which is to harass, oppress, or abuse any person in connection with the collection of a debt. Without limiting the general application of the foregoing, the following conduct is a violation of this section:

(1) The use or threat of use of violence or other criminal means to harm the physical person, reputation, or property of any person.

(2) The use of obscene or profane language or language the natural consequence of which is to abuse the hearer or reader.

(3) The publication of a list of consumers who allegedly refuse to pay debts, except to a consumer reporting agency or to persons meeting the requirements of section 1681a(f) or 1681b(3)1 of this title.

(4) The advertisement for sale of any debt to coerce payment of the debt.

(5) Causing a telephone to ring or engaging any person in telephone conversation repeatedly or continuously with intent to annoy, abuse, or harass any person at the called number.

(6) Except as provided in section 1692b of this title, the placement of telephone calls without meaningful disclosure of the caller's identity.

You still need to respond to a Complaint even if the creditor violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. However, the FDCPA offers recourse if a debt collector is behaving unethically or harassing you. The Arizona Attorney General's website offers a consumer reporting portal that may result in criminal charges against the creditor in violation of the act. In a separate case, you may be entitled to statutory and actual damages which cover everything from emotional distress through lost wages.

View How to File an FDCPA Complaint Against Your Debt Collector for additional information on the process, see some of the shady practices debt collection companies use, or explore how debt collectors use the FDCPA to their benefit on the SoloSuit blog. Note that, as of 2021, debt collectors may contact debtors via social media channels.

Additional protections under Arizona law

Arizona requires debt collections agencies to register and be licensed with the state. In addition to compliance with the FDCPA, Arizona has further regulations regarding debt collection.

Arizona 32-1055 describes the following unlawful acts:

A. It is unlawful for a person to conduct a collection agency in this state without having first applied for and obtained a license under this chapter.

B. A collection agency licensed under this chapter shall not directly or indirectly aid, abet or receive compensation from an unlicensed person. Nothing in this chapter shall prevent a licensed agency from accepting, as forwardee, claims for collection from a collection agency or attorney whose place of business is outside this state.

C. A licensee shall not advertise a claim for sale or threaten to so advertise a claim as a means of endeavoring to enforce payment, nor shall a licensee agree to do so for the purpose of soliciting claims. This subsection shall not be deemed to affect a licensee acting as assignee for the benefit of a creditor or acting under a court order.

D. It is unlawful for a person conducting a collection agency in this state to:

1. Fail to render an account of and pay to the client for whom collection has been made the proceeds collected, less collection charges as agreed to by the person and the client, within thirty days from the last day of the month in which the proceeds were collected. If the amount due the client is less than five dollars, payment may be deferred for an additional thirty days.

2. Fail to deposit with a local depository all monies collected by the person and due to the person's clients, and to fail to keep these monies deposited until these monies or equivalent amounts are remitted to the person's clients. Notwithstanding this paragraph, if a person conducting a collection agency does not maintain an office in this state, the person may deposit and keep these monies in a depository in a state where the person maintains the person's principal office.

3. Fail to keep a record of monies collected and the remittance of these monies.

4. Fail to notify the department within ten days of any change of name under which the person does business as a collection agency or address at which the person conducts business.

5. Aid or abet, directly or indirectly, any person, persons or organizations in evading or violating any of the provisions of this chapter.

Arizona debt collection laws prohibit unfair collection practices

Like all other states, Arizona uses the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) to protect its residents from unfair collection practices. Most debt collectors use any means possible to get their money and often violate consumer rights. The Act states that Arizona debt collectors should not:

  • Call you countless times a day.
  • Call late at night or very early in the morning (before ).
  • Use intimidating or threatening language to force you to pay.
  • Talk about your debt with friends, coworkers, or family.
  • Use social media to shame you that you have a debt with them.
  • Contact you after sending a cease and desist letter.
  • Fail to verify your debt after sending a Debt Validation Letter.
  • Take you to court after the debt has expired.

In addition to these guidelines, Arizona’s revised statutes § 32-1055 require debt collection agencies to be licensed. They should obtain a license from the Arizona Department of Insurance before they start collecting debt. The statute also states that it is unlawful for a debt collector to threaten to sell a debt so that the consumer pays.

This section of Arizona debt collection laws also requires debt collectors to notify the department before ten days are over when they want to change the company’s name. These agencies regularly change their names to shield themselves from negative consumer reviews and reporting incidences that may harm their business. If you encounter a new debt collector you haven't interacted with, research their history to ensure they comply with the law. If they haven't, use the unlawful business practice as your affirmative defense in a lawsuit.

Some debt collectors may also engage in unfair business practices by suing you for a debt whose statute of limitation has been reached. In Arizona, the deadline for debt varies depending on the type of debt. For instance, credit cards, medical, auto loans, student loans, mortgages, and personal loans expire after six years. Judgments last for ten years. Any debt collector who sues you after this timeline will have violated your rights. Use the violation as an affirmative defense in the Answer document, and the court will likely dismiss the case.

Another way Arizona protects its residents from unfair collection practices is by using the Arizona Predatory Debt Collection Act (Prop 209), which limits how far debt collectors can go in collecting medical debt. The provisions accomplished the following:

  • Increased homestead exemption to $400,000
  • Protected personal assets increased to $5,000 for bank accounts, $15,000 and $25,000 (for disabled drivers) for vehicle value, and $15,000 for household goods. These figures were also adjustable depending on the inflation rate.
  • Put a limit for medical debt interest rate at 3%
  • Decreased wage garnishment by 10%

These new adjustments were meant to prevent Arizona residents from undergoing devastating financial situations that could leave them hopeless and homeless due to emergency medical debt.

If a debt collector in Arizona has violated the FDCPA or Predatory Debt Collection Act, report them at the attorney general's office using the following numbers, Phoenix: 602-542-5763,

Tucson: 520-626-6504, and outside Phoenix or Tucson: 800-352-8431. You can escalate the matter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on their website or call 877-382-4357 and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) online or call 855-411-2372.

Find debt relief in Arizona

If you have an outstanding debt weighing you down in Arizona, you are not alone. According to Experian consumer debt statistics for 2023-2024, the average resident has a debt of $115,963. Consumers have difficulty paying their account balances, and debt relief could be a viable option to help manage their debt situation. The following are three main strategies to get debt relief in Arizona, each of which have proven to help borrowers bring down their debt to a manageable level and eventually pay it off.

  • Snowball method: The snowball strategy entails paying off your smallest debt first as you make minimum payments on your other higher debts. Making the minimum payments ensures you are not flagged as having defaulted. After you clear the smallest debt, you go to the next smallest debt as you work upwards.

  • Avalanche method: The avalanche strategy requires you to pay off the debt with the highest balance or interest rate. Like the Snowball method, you still make minimum payments on the other debts. After clearing the first balance, you go to the next highest debt, and so on.

  • Consolidation: If you have multiple debts that seem overwhelming to manage, consolidate them into a single debt. In this case, you take a new credit card with favorable terms and transfer your debts to it. Or take a personal loan with a better interest rate to pay off all the other debts and remain with this single loan to pay.

If you feel like you cannot do it for yourself using the above methods, sign up for a debt consolidation program where you receive guidance from professionals. Choose a reputable company that specializes in offering these services at a fee, or look for a non-profit credit counseling company.

In the program, you will be assigned a credit counselor to help you assess your financial situation and how to budget and save money to pay off your debts. Afterward, they will contact the creditor to negotiate for a lowered debt amount, reduced interest rate, or waive the late fee charges. Once they get a reasonable deal, the company will make the debt payments on your behalf until you clear the debt.

Another debt relief option is debt settlement. In this method, you approach the creditors and ask for a settlement offer that will permit you to settle the debt for less than you owe. However, some debt settlement companies ask you to stop making payments and enter into default.

After you default for a while, they will reach out to the creditor, stating that you have difficulty paying the debt and that they should consider reducing your payable debt amount. While this method works for some consumers, others have reported being in a worse situation than before. Their credit score plummeted, and their debt increased due to penalties.

Be careful when choosing which debt settlement company to work with. For instance, SoloSuit doesn't ask you to stop making payments. In fact, you control the negotiation process but under the watchful eye of our debt specialists. Learn more about it in the following video.

Check the status of your Arizona court case

Arizona allows you to check the status of your case in the Arizona Public Record Law Court. Certain cases, such as mental health, juvenile delinquency, and probate proceedings, are confidential. Information on victims and witnesses to cases is also not available to the public. Before you access your court case, you must know the three court levels and where your case falls.

  • Limited Jurisdiction at Level 1: The courts included here are the municipal or city courts and the Justice of Peace Courts (debt collection cases belong here).
  • General Jurisdiction at Level 2: The Superior Court of Arizona, which is a Trial Court, falls under this level. It has statewide jurisdiction, unlike level one, which has limited local jurisdiction.
  • Jurisdiction on appeal at Level 3: The highest courts at this level are the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. Small claims cases rarely get to this level.

graphic of the Arizona court structure

To find your court case in Arizona, you must know which courthouse (under the Justice of Peace Courts) the debt collector filed your case. You will find the name at the top end of your Summons letter. If not, use the case number to find the exact case file and status.

The case number indicates the year of filing, the Judicial office, and the Judicial officer assigned to it. An example of a case number is CV 2:17cv00010. The CV denotes the overall case type. The small CV further shows it is a civil case, 17 is the year, and 00010 is the number of cases so far in that court for that period.

Access your Arizona court case online

To access your case, go to the Arizona Judicial Branch website. It has a Public Access to Court Information tool that connects you to the court records for Municipal and Justice courts. If your case is in Maricopa County, you will access it using the Maricopa County case search tool that holds the county's court cases separate from the Arizona Judicial Branch platform. Search using your full name or case number.

Cases in the Superior Court are accessed through a web-based portal called eAccess. You must register and pay a monthly subscription fee to get the records. The cost you pay is determined by the number of documents you want to access monthly. For example, you can have one-time access to documents at $10 per document with no monthly fee. If not, you must pay $80 to access up to 20 documents or $200 to access 50 documents. The amount keeps increasing at every level up to $10,000 to access 5,000 documents.

Lastly, you can access court records in the Court of Appeal via the Arizona Court of Appeal website. However, public access is limited. If you want to view it without making a copy, you will do so physically at the Clerk’s office viewing room. But if you require a copy, you can make the request physically at the courthouse, via email (inform@appeals.az.gov), and by mail (Send a money order or check to cover the cost).

Stop wage garnishment in Arizona

Wage Garnishment can cause your financial situation to worsen and stall your plan of becoming financially free. But do not despair yet if you are a resident of Arizona. The Arizona wage garnishment laws still protect you from experiencing a severe blow to your income.

The garnishment process starts after a creditor wins a debt collection case. Even after they win, they cannot begin garnishing your wages without notifying you and your employer. The Arizona Revised Statutes § 33-1131 states that a debt collector can only garnish the lesser of the following two amounts:

  • Your disposable income exceeds 60 times the federal minimum wage ($7.25 per hour)
  • 10% of your weekly disposable income

Disposable income includes earnings from your job, bonuses, commissions, and retirement plans or pensions. Fortunately, Arizona protects the income of those enrolled in a debt counseling organization recognized by the state. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-1598.10(B) outlines that no creditor can garnish your wages if you are on a debt settlement or consolidation program.

Suppose you receive a wage garnishment notification and you are in this program. In that case, you can stop it by filing an objection within ten days after you receive the garnishment notice (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-1598.07) and attend the hearing. It is not automatic to receive the exemption, but the judge will review your case to determine if your debt meets the requirements for being in the program and if the company is legitimate.

Stop wage garnishment before it happens

If your debt does not qualify and the garnishment order still stands, you have other options for preventing the debt collector from accessing your wages. For example, one of the best ways to prevent wage garnishment in Arizona is by offering to settle the debt.

Make sure the offer you make is relatively low because they will usually respond with a counteroffer, and you must leave yourself room to let the offer grow. SoloSettle is a tech-based tool that helps you approach the creditor with a settlement offer, ensures you use the correct language, and assists you with the legal paperwork needed after you reach a settlement deal.

Another option is to consolidate the debt (as earlier discussed), where you transfer the credit card debt to a new one or take a loan to pay off the debt and remain with a new loan with a better repayment plan and without the risk of garnishment. But you must keep up with the payments on this new debt to avoid being sued again.

If a debt collector sues you, prevent them from winning the case by responding to the lawsuit with a Debt Answer document. Sending an Answer blocks the creditor from receiving a default judgment and reduces their chances of getting a wage garnishment order. Further, the template you use to respond can make or break your case. Use a template that directs you on how to answer the allegations and also guides you on which affirmative defenses to include. A powerful Answer may force the creditor to propose a settlement deal or withdraw the case.

There are several organizations in the state of Arizona that offer low-cost or free legal services to those who can demonstrate financial need. If you need legal assistance and cannot afford to hire a lawyer at their standard rates, you may wish to contact one of the organizations listed below.

Community Legal Services, Inc.
https://www.clsaz.org/
(800) 852-9075
305 South 2nd Avenue, P.O. Box 21538, Phoenix, AZ 85036-1538
Counties Served: La Paz, Maricopa, Mojave, Yavapai, Yuma

DNA-Peoples Legal Services, Inc. https://dnalegalservices.org/
(800) 789-7287
Route 12, Highway 264, P.O. Box 306, Window Rock, AZ 86515
Counties Served: Coconino and reservation areas in Apache and Navajo

Southern Arizona Legal Aid, Inc.
https://www.sazlegalaid.org/
(520) 623-9461
2343 E Broadway Blvd #200, Tucson AZ
Counties Served: Pima, Santa Cruz, Pinal, Navajo, Apache, Gila, Cochise, Graham, Greenlee

It's also worth noting that personal finance courses are available online for those who want to get their finances back on track after a debt lawsuit and there are alternatives for people facing issues like zombie debt too.

File an Answer in your local court in Arizona

Each court has special filing requirements. We've done the work to know the requirements in your local court. File an Answer into your Arizona court case. Find your local court below to get started:

Recap: How to Answer a Summons for debt collection in Arizona

Complete the Arizona Answer form and file it within 20 days of receipt of your Summons and Complaint. Ensure that you:

  • Answer each issue/ paragraph on your Complaint
  • Assert your affirmative defenses
  • File your Answer with the court and send a copy to the plaintiff

You can use SoloSuit to streamline the process and submit your paperwork to the court.

FAQs on Arizona debt collection

What is a Justice of the Peace Court?

A Justice of the Peace Court is a limited-jurisdiction court in Arizona that handles small claims up to $3500, civil lawsuits below $10,000, protective orders, and misdemeanor crimes. These courts are created based on geography and population and named according to location, feature, or historical presence. Civil lawsuits include consumer complaints, collection cases, negligence actions, eviction actions, and breach of contract cases.

Unlike other cases, small claims proceedings are usually informal and do not require an attorney's presence. Unfortunately, there’s a limited option to appeal a small claims decision after a hearing in this court.

The Justice of Peace Court is served by a Constable elected for a four-year term. This individual executes decisions, serves paperwork, and performs other court duties. They are assisted by one or more court clerks who help them organize the court records and perform other clerical work.

How does small claims court work in Arizona?

Small claims court in Arizona is a division in the Justice Court that allows for speedy, inexpensive, and informal ways of settling minor cases. It handles cases where the amount to make amends does not exceed $3,500. The amount does not include filing costs and interest. Creditors often file a case in this court because it has limited expenses, and they give the debtor limited options to appeal. Once the court decides, it is often the final decision without further appeal.

According to A.R.S. § 22-202, a creditor can only file a case against a consumer in their county. During the hearing, the debt collector hopes you will not come with representation, which they believe will make it easy for them to win the case. To beat the orders during the proceedings, you must respond to the lawsuit with a powerful Answer document that clearly outlines your affirmative defenses and why you should not pay the debt.

How do you vacate a default judgment in a debt lawsuit?

Vacating a default judgment requires you to make a formal request to the court asking them to cancel the decision. This request is called a motion to vacate judgment. To get the judgment overturned, you must give a strong reason why you failed to attend the hearing. Some reasons that may be considered are: you did not get proper notice, the debt information is wrong, the lawsuit was given to the wrong person, you did not respond to the lawsuit, and you already made the payment.

How to Answer a Summons for debt collection in all 50 states

Here's a list of guides on how to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in each state:

The Ultimate 50 State Guide

Guides on how to resolve debt with every debt collector

Are you being sued by a debt collector? We’re making guides on how to resolve debt with each one.

Resolve your debt with your creditor

Some creditors, banks, and lenders have an internal collections department. If they come after you for a debt, Solosuit can still help you respond and resolve the debt. Here’s a list of guides on how to resolve debt with different creditors.

Settle your medical debt

Having a health challenge is stressful, but dealing medical debt on top of it is overwhelming. Here are some resources on how to manage medical debt.

Guides on arbitration

If the thought of going to court stresses you out, you’re not alone. Many Americans who are sued for credit card debt utilize a Motion to Compel Arbitration to push their case out of court and into arbitration.

Below are some resources on how to use an arbitration clause to your advantage and win a debt lawsuit.

Stop calls from debt collectors

Do you keep getting calls from an unknown number, only to realize that it’s a debt collector on the other line? If you’ve been called by any of the following numbers, chances are you have collectors coming after you, and we’ll tell you how to stop them.

Federal debt collection laws can protect you

Knowing your rights makes it easier to stand up for your rights. Below, we’ve compiled all our articles on federal debt collection laws that protect you from unfair practices.

Get debt relief in your state

We’ve created a specialized guide on how to find debt relief in all 50 states, complete with steps to take to find relief, state-specific resources, and more.

Debt collection laws in all 50 states

Debt collection laws vary by state, so we have compiled a guide to each state’s debt collection laws to make it easier for you to stand up for your rights—no matter where you live.

Statute of limitations on debt state guides

Like all debt collection laws, the statute of limitations on debt varies by state. So, we wrote a guide on each state’s statutes. Check it out below.

Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection by State (Best Guide)

Check the status of your court case

Don’t have time to go to your local courthouse to check the status of your case? We’ve created a guide on how to check the status of your case in every state, complete with online search tools and court directories.

How to stop wage garnishment in your state

Forgot to respond to your debt lawsuit? The judge may have ordered a default judgment against you, and with a default judgment, debt collectors can garnish your wages. Here are our guides on how to stop wage garnishment in all 50 states.

Other wage garnishment resources

How to settle a debt in your state

Debt settlement is one of the most effective ways to resolve a debt and save money. We’ve created a guide on how to settle your debt in all 50 states. Find out how to settle in your state with a simple click and explore other debt settlement resources below.

How to settle with every debt collector

Not sure how to negotiate a debt settlement with a debt collector? We are creating guides to help you know how to start the settlement conversation and increase your chances of coming to an agreement with every debt collector.

Other debt settlement resources

Personal loan and debt relief reviews

We give a factual review of the following debt consolidation, debt settlement, and loan organizations and companies to help you make an informed decision before you take on a debt.

How to repair and improve your credit score

Debt has a big impact on your credit. Below is a list of guides on how to repair and improve your credit, even while managing major debt.

How to resolve student loan debt

Struggling with student debt? SoloSuit’s got you covered. Below are resources on handling student loan debt.

Civil law legal definitions

You can represent yourself in court. Save yourself the time and cost of finding an attorney, and use the following resources to understand legal definitions better and how they may apply to your case.

Get answers to these FAQs on debt collection

How-to debt guides

Learn more with these additional debt resources


It only takes 15 minutes.
And 50% of our customers' cases have been dismissed in the past.

"Finding yourself on the wrong side of the law unexpectedly is kinda scary. I started researching on YouTube and found SoloSuit's channel. The videos were so helpful, easy to understand and encouraging. When I reached out to SoloSuit they were on it. Very professional, impeccably prompt. Thanks for the service!" – Heather.

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Not sued yet?
Use our Debt Validation Letter.

Our Debt Validation Letter is the best way to respond to a collection letter. Many debt collectors will simply give up after receiving it.

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