New York Answer Filing Checklist

New York Answer Filing Checklist

Court: Supreme Court of the State of New York
County: [________________________________]
Index Number: [________________________________]
Case Caption: [________________________________] v. [________________________________]
Defendant: [________________________________]
Filing Attorney: [________________________________]
Date Prepared: [__/__/____]

I. Deadline Calculation

Appearance Deadline

☐ 20 days from personal service in New York
☐ 30 days from service by other method or outside NY
☐ Service date: [__/__/____]
☐ Appearance deadline: [__/__/____]

Answer Deadline (after appearance)

☐ 20 days after demand for complaint (if Summons with Notice)
☐ 20 days after service of complaint

II. Response Options

Notice of Appearance

☐ Extends time to answer
☐ Acknowledges service
☐ Does not waive defenses

Answer (CPLR 3018-3019)

☐ Deny or admit allegations
☐ Affirmative defenses
☐ Counterclaims

Pre-Answer Motion (CPLR 3211)

☐ Motion to dismiss
☐ Extends time to answer until motion decided
☐ Grounds:
☐ Documentary evidence defense
☐ Lack of jurisdiction
☐ Improper service
☐ Failure to state cause of action
☐ Other defenses

III. Answer Contents

Denials (CPLR 3018)

☐ General denial
☐ Specific denials
☐ Denials upon information and belief

Affirmative Defenses (CPLR 3018(b))

☐ Statute of limitations
☐ Release
☐ Payment
☐ Res judicata
☐ Collateral estoppel
☐ Statute of frauds
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Verification

☐ Required if complaint verified
☐ Verified by party

IV. Counterclaims (CPLR 3019)

☐ Arising from same transaction
☐ Any claim against plaintiff
☐ Include in answer

V. Filing and Service

☐ File with County Clerk (or e-file via NYSCEF)
☐ Serve on all parties
☐ Proof of service

VI. Quality Control

☐ Deadline verified
☐ All allegations addressed
☐ Affirmative defenses pleaded
☐ Verification (if required)
☐ Service completed

Sources and References

• CPLR: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/CVP
• NYSCEF: https://iappscontent.courts.state.ny.us/NYSCEF

Prepared by: [________________________________]
Date: [__/__/____]