I received several summons recently to which I replied within the 20 calendar days with an intend to defend letter. I have now received one notice of hearing for a status conference. The court indicates that the attorney for the plaintiff can appear by telephone and demands I appear in person. Do I formally object to this, or move to dismiss with prejudice for lack of jurisdiction when the plaintiff does not appear. The notices says the following: This matter has been scheduled upon receipt of an 'answer' filed by myname.

How am I to interpret the emphasized 'answer' in that statement.

Also I have not yet asked (is this discovery?) the plaintiff's attorney for a cirtified copy of the original signed contract or a complete account of the debt.

Finally, in some cases it is the credit card company filing against me and in others it is a third party debt collector. Is there any difference in how these should be handled?
Thank you

I forgot to mention that this is in the state of Wisconsin and the hearing is scheduled for 8/4/2010. Anyone with information, please advise