I have been served a summons to defend. I had a reasonably ggod relationship with this person and had not received any communication from them before this summons to pay a debt. I do owe them the money and want to work out a fair payment agreement. Do I still need to sumbit a "defense" reply to the court and served copy to the plaintiff? Or should I directly contact this individual to try and work it out? Can they withdraw the lawsuit and pursue as I wish?

I have been served a summons to defend. I had a reasonably ggod relationship with this person and had not received any communication from them before this summons to pay a debt. I do owe them the money and want to work out a fair payment agreement. Do I still need to sumbit a "defense" reply to the court and served copy to the plaintiff? or should I directly contact this individual to try and work it out? Can they withdraw the lawsuit and pursue as I wish?


Respond to the Summons or else you risk a Judgment being taken against you. Then if you want to try to negotiate with the creditor, do that.

Do not let the time frame for the Court expire!