Got sued?
Start here.
AnswerFirst helps you understand the papers you received, prepare your first response packet, and avoid freezing before important deadlines. A calmer first step before you spend thousands on a lawyer.
You do not have to figure out the whole lawsuit today. First, respond.
AnswerFirst prepares documents based on your information. It does not provide legal advice or attorney representation.
See the first page free →
We found in your papers
Your Answer Packet
$299 flat
Ready
Prepared for your review · You self-file · Not a law firm
Take a breath.
Here is what you actually need to do next.
Getting served with lawsuit papers can feel overwhelming. You do not need to figure out the entire case today — and you do not need to hire a lawyer for the first step. The first step is usually just this: respond.
First — understand what you received.
Is it a complaint, a judgment, or a collection notice? The answer changes what to do next.
Ignoring it creates risk.
If no one responds, the other side can ask the court for a default. That makes things harder to fix later.
The first step is simpler than it sounds.
Respond. It tells the court you're here. It does not mean you admit anything.
The letters are scary
because the situation is serious.
After a lawsuit is filed, many people receive letters warning about default judgments, wage garnishment, bank levies, and liens. Those risks can be real. But the letters often leave you more scared than informed about what to actually do.
What you can do right now:
Start the free check — answer a few questions and we'll show you the likely first step before you pay. Or upload your papers and we'll read them for you.
Lawyer letters often tell you what can go wrong. AnswerFirst helps you figure out what to do next — in plain English, for a flat $299.
What the letters say
Default Judgment Warning
…failure to respond may result in…
Wage Garnishment Notice
…to garnish wages up to 25%…
Bank Account Levy
…funds may be levied pending…
Court Filing Deadline
…response required within 30 days…
Collection Notice
…amount due immediately…
Letters often focus on what can go wrong — not what to do next.
What AnswerFirst gives you
AnswerFirst
calm · privateFirst-step check
Free · no credit card
Clear timeline estimate
Based on your papers
Answer Packet prepared
Flat $299 · for your review
Fee Waiver Help included
Court decides eligibility
Preview your first page before paying
Fear tells you what might happen. AnswerFirst helps you see what to do next.
How it works in one minute
AnswerFirst asks a few plain-English questions — or reads your papers — and helps you take the first step without a lawyer-sized bill.
Built for the moment after the scary papers arrive.
Getting sued can feel like everything is falling apart. The complaint is confusing. The letters are intense. A lawyer retainer can run thousands just to get started. And doing nothing carries real risk.
AnswerFirst is the guided first step in between. Upload or paste your court papers — we read them and pull out the key details. Answer a few plain-English questions. We prepare your Answer Packet for a flat $299. You review it, sign it, and file it yourself.
AnswerFirst is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or attorney representation.
How it works
Five steps. Flat $299. Plain English.
Start the free check.
Answer 6 plain-English questions about what you received and what you want to do. Free — takes about 2 minutes.
Confirm your case details.
Upload papers so we can read them, or enter details yourself. We pull out the court name, case number, and amount.
Answer a few packet questions.
Name correct? Recognize the company? Payment history? We only ask what we need for your packet.
Preview your first page free.
See the first page of your prepared Answer Packet before paying. Review it — no surprises.
Free preview
Unlock and self-file.
Download the full packet, follow the step-by-step checklist, and file at the court yourself.
No legal jargon. No sales call. Preview before paying.
Pricing
What the $299 actually covers.
Free forms exist. The hard part is figuring out what goes where when you're stressed, under a deadline, and staring at unfamiliar court papers.
AnswerFirst turns your court papers into an Answer Packet you can review and self-file — complaint read, details confirmed, packet prepared.
No hourly billing
No surprise invoice
No sales call
Preview before paying
Court filing fees can be hundreds of dollars. If you qualify, the court may waive the fee. Fee Waiver Help is included in your packet at no extra cost.
Blank court form
AnswerFirst
AnswerFirst is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or attorney representation.
AnswerFirst — Answer Packet
$299
flat fee · one time
Read your uploaded complaint
We find the key details so you don't have to
Pull out the court, case number, parties, and amount
You confirm everything before continuing
Prepare your Answer Packet for review
Based on your complaint and your answers
Fee Waiver Help included
If you qualify, the court may waive filing fees
Proof of Service instructions
Who needs to mail it and how to fill the form
Clear PDF files
Typed text, readable PDFs — not blurry scans
Signature reminders
We show where signatures are needed
Filing checklist
Step-by-step before you go to the courthouse
First-page preview before paying
Free — see before you decide
Total
$299
Does not include court filing fees. Does not guarantee court acceptance. You are responsible for reviewing all documents before filing.
Starting with California debt lawsuits.
AnswerFirst is currently focused on standard California debt collection complaints. That lets us keep the process simpler, clearer, and more specific.
Supported first-response path
- Credit card debt complaints
- Debt buyer complaints
- Personal loan collection complaints
- Standard civil debt / contract complaints
Not currently supported
- Criminal cases
- Family law
- Evictions
- Restraining orders
- Immigration
- Complex business disputes
- Cases needing immediate court appearances
Not sure if your papers are supported? Upload them and we'll tell you if this looks like a supported first-response path.
Check My PapersBuilt for this exact moment.
Not a generic legal form. Not a scary sales call.
California-first
We start with California debt collection complaints, court forms, fee waiver help, and specific filing steps. Not generic advice for every state.
Mailer-triggered
If you found us from a direct mail letter, we help you go from what is this? to a clear first step -- upload, confirm, prepare, preview.
Built for first-timers
No legal jargon. We explain what an Answer is, what default means, and what to review before filing. One question at a time.
Better document readiness
Typed, clear PDFs. Signature reminders. Proof of Service instructions. Filing checklist. Not just a blank form you fill in yourself.
AnswerFirst vs. hiring a lawyer vs. doing nothing
A practical first response step. Not full legal representation.
AnswerFirst
$299 flat fee
Traditional Lawyer
Often $4,000–$6,000+ to start
Doing Nothing
Higher risk later
Cost to get started
$299 flat fee
Often $4,000–$6,000+ to start
$0 today, higher risk later
Complaint reviewed
✓ Yes
Usually if retained
No
Answer prepared
Prepared for your review
Usually if retained
None filed
Clear PDF files
✓ Yes
Usually yes
No
Proof of Service help
✓ Yes
Usually handled
No
Preview before paying
✓ Yes
Usually no
No
Filing checklist
✓ Yes
Varies
None filed
Legal advice
Not included
✓ Yes
None
Represents you
No
✓ Yes
No
Default risk
Filing may help reduce risk
Filing may help reduce risk
Higher risk of default
AnswerFirst is not a substitute for legal advice or full representation. It is built for the first response step.
I got sued. What do I do?
Plain-English guides. No legal jargon.
I got sued. What do I do first?
First steps when you've been served and don't know what the papers mean.
Read →
Plain EnglishWhat is an Answer?
What it is, why it matters, and what happens if you don't file one.
Read →
DefaultWhat happens if I ignore the lawsuit?
What can happen if no response is filed and what your options may be.
Read →
CaliforniaHow do I respond to a debt lawsuit?
Plain-English overview of the response process and why deadlines matter.
Read →
Common questionDo I need a lawyer?
When self-filing may be possible and when lawyer help may be important.
Read →
Fee waiverCan I ask the court to waive the filing fee?
How fee waivers work and the confidential filing rules you need to know.
Read →
Sample situations
Fictional examples showing how AnswerFirst identifies the first step.
Sample scenarios for product preview — not customer testimonials.
Maria
Answer PacketCredit card complaint
vs. Capital One Bank
$7,842 claimed
Worried about
Had never been sued. Didn't know what an Answer was or what would happen if she ignored the papers.
First step included
Daniel
Answer PacketDebt collection complaint
vs. Discover Bank
$12,406 claimed
Worried about
Received lawyer letters that focused on what could go wrong. Felt more scared than informed.
First step included
Alicia
Answer PacketDebt buyer lawsuit
vs. Midland Credit Management
$5,318 claimed
Worried about
Didn't recognize the company suing her or understand why they claimed she owed this amount.
First step included
James
Motion to Vacate reviewPossible missed deadline
vs. Portfolio Recovery
Judgment entered
Worried about
Found out about a default judgment from a bank notification. Never received the original complaint.
First step included
A calmer first step. Not a law firm.
AnswerFirst is not a law firm. We do not represent you, contact the other side, or guarantee an outcome. We turn your court papers into a first response packet — built from your case details and answers — for your review. You file it.
Turn your court papers into an Answer Packet.
Filing a response may help prevent default. Missing a deadline can have serious consequences. Deadlines vary by case type and state.
AnswerFirst is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or attorney representation. AnswerFirst helps prepare documents based on user-provided information. You are responsible for reviewing all documents before filing. Court rules and deadlines vary. Consider consulting a licensed attorney.
Already missed the deadline?
If the response deadline has already passed, or if you think a default may have been entered, filing a standard Answer may not be the right next step. See our missed-deadline guide.