How long does the defendant have to file the defense?
A. Depending on the means of service (personal, by posting or by mail), the defendant has 15 to 30 days from the date of service to file its answer to the complaint. Frequently, the court grants one or two 15-day extensions. If the defendant files a counterclaim in time, a court officer serves it on the claimant, and the claimant also has 15 to 30 days to file an answer (extensions are often available).
