Kansas Small Claims Answer Form: Do You Need to File a Written Answer?

The Short Answer: No Written Answer Required

If you've been served with a Kansas small claims lawsuit and you're searching for an answer form to fill out, stop. Kansas small claims court does not require defendants to file a written answer. K.S.A. 61-2705 specifically limits the pleadings allowed in small claims to the plaintiff's petition and the defendant's counterclaim — nothing else.

This catches people off guard because it's different from regular Kansas civil cases. In a Chapter 60 lawsuit, you'd have 21 days to file a written answer. In a Chapter 61 limited action, you'd have 14 days after your appearance date. But in small claims, the answer requirement is replaced by something simpler: show up at the hearing.

Why the Confusion Exists

The internet is full of generic "lawsuit answer templates" — some even sold on Etsy and Gumroad for $5 to $15. These templates use numbered admit/deny paragraphs designed for federal court or general state civil litigation. Filing one in Kansas small claims court would actually violate K.S.A. 61-2705, which bars non-statutory pleadings.

The other source of confusion is the "7-day rule" that occasionally surfaces in older court packets. This isn't a statewide answer deadline. Some local clerk packets, including those in the 1st and 8th Judicial Districts, recommend submitting a Defendant's Claim form about 7 days before the hearing so the clerk has time to mail a copy to the plaintiff. That's a local guideline for counterclaims, not a mandatory answer deadline.

What You Actually Need to Do

Your only procedural obligation as a Kansas small claims defendant is to appear at the hearing on the date and time printed on your summons. Here's what that looks like in practice:

1. Read your summons carefully — note the hearing date, time, and courtroom location
2. Verify the case at casesearch.kscourts.gov if you're unsure the papers are legitimate
3. Gather your evidence — contracts, receipts, photos, text messages, anything that supports your side
4. Prepare three copies of each document (judge, plaintiff, yourself)
5. Show up on time — check in with the courtroom clerk when you arrive

If you need a continuance because of a scheduling conflict, file a written Request for Continuance with the court well before the hearing date. Don't assume a phone call to the clerk's office will reschedule anything — only a signed court order changes your hearing date.

When You Do File a Form: The Counterclaim

The one form defendants regularly use is the Defendant's Claim, which is a counterclaim against the plaintiff. You'd file this if the plaintiff owes you money from the same transaction — for example, a landlord suing you for unpaid rent while you're owed a security deposit back.

The Defendant's Claim form is available free from kjc.ks.gov. Filing it costs $47.50 (claims up to $500) or $67.50 (claims $500.01 to $10,000). Returning it to the clerk early gives everyone time to prepare, but K.S.A. 61-2705 allows you to present it at trial.

The Bottom Line

Kansas small claims court replaced the written answer with a simpler requirement: appear at your hearing. Spending time hunting for an answer form that doesn't exist is time you could spend organizing your evidence and preparing your case. The Kansas Small Claims Response Guide walks you through every step of the defendant's procedure, from reading the summons through post-judgment options.

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