JD-CV-40A Answer Form Connecticut: How to Fill It Out and File It

What Form JD-CV-40A Is

Form JD-CV-40A1 (Rev. 1-26) is the current official answer form for Connecticut small claims cases. A timely answer filed with the court — not a phone call, courthouse visit, or letter to the plaintiff — is what responds to the claim and helps prevent a default.

You can download it from the Connecticut Judicial Branch website or pick up a paper copy at any Court Service Center inside a Superior Court building. There is no fee to file an answer that disputes or admits a claim. A counterclaim, if you choose to file one, carries a $95 fee.

The Response Checkboxes

The current form presents three response checkboxes and says to check all that apply:

"I disagree with the claim because:" You disagree with the plaintiff's version of events, the amount claimed, or both. The form gives you space to explain why. Be specific and factual. Write something like "The invoice includes $800 for work that was never completed" rather than "This claim is wrong."

"I admit I owe part of the claim." State why you do not owe the full amount. The form says the court will schedule a hearing so the magistrate can determine what you owe.

"I admit I owe the claim but need more time to pay." You can propose payment amounts and timing. The current form says that if an individual does not propose a plan, the court will order $35 per week; if you request less and the plaintiff does not agree, a hearing will be scheduled. Business judgments and judgments against landlords for return of a security deposit are ordered paid in a lump sum.

There is no separate paid-in-full checkbox on the current form. If you already paid before the lawsuit, state that in the explanation for disagreeing with the claim and attach proof — such as a canceled check, bank transfer confirmation, or signed receipt.

Filing a Counterclaim on the Same Form

If the plaintiff owes you money from the same transaction or incident — say, a contractor who took a deposit and never finished the work, or a landlord who broke a lease agreement that cost you money — you can assert a counterclaim on the JD-CV-40A. The counterclaim is subject to the same dollar limits as the original claim: $5,000 for standard disputes, and $15,000 for qualifying actions involving registered home improvement or new home construction contractors. You will need to pay the $95 filing fee unless you qualify for a fee waiver (Form JD-CV-120).

How to File

E-file through Connecticut Judicial Branch E-Services. You will need to enroll, request electronic access to your case, and wait for the clerk to approve that request. Electronic filing gives you a confirmation. Submit before midnight on your Answer Date.

Mail the completed form to the court address on your answer form. For centralized processing, the address is 80 Washington Street, Hartford, CT 06106. The form must arrive by the Answer Date — a postmark does not count. Use certified mail with a return receipt if you want proof of delivery, and allow enough transit time.

Fax or hand-deliver the form to the court using the fax number or address on your answer form. Do not fax an answer that includes a counterclaim.

Whichever method you choose, you must also send a copy to the plaintiff or their attorney at the same time.

Common Mistakes

Skipping the form and calling the plaintiff instead. Under Practice Book § 24-16, you must file an answer with the court by your Answer Date. Phone calls, emails, or in-person conversations with the plaintiff do not count as a filed answer.

Confusing JD-CV-40A1 with JD-CV-40. Form JD-CV-40 is the writ the plaintiff filed against you. JD-CV-40A1 is the current answer form. They are different forms with similar numbers.

Mailing too close to the deadline. If your Answer Date is five days away, mailing from outside the Hartford area is a gamble. E-file or deliver in person.

The Connecticut Small Claims Response Guide includes a field-by-field walkthrough of the JD-CV-40A with examples for each response option and a filing confirmation tracker.

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