Small Claims Answer - Preparation Worksheet - Arizona
ARIZONA SMALL CLAIMS ANSWER
Before filing: File this written answer within 20 days after service and mail a copy to the plaintiff. The Arizona Judicial Branch lists generic Answer form LJSC00004F, but the filing justice court may prefer its own form. Check the summons and the court's instructions. If that court requires its form, transfer the completed responses below to that form.
1. Court and Parties
In the Justice Court of [PRECINCT], [COUNTY] County, Arizona
Small Claims Division
Case number: [CASE NUMBER]
Plaintiff: [FULL LEGAL NAME]
Defendant: [FULL LEGAL NAME]
2. Answer
I am the defendant named above. My response to the complaint is:
☐ I deny the claim in full. My explanation is: [FACTS AND DATES]
☐ I admit only the following part of the claim: [IDENTIFY PARAGRAPHS OR AMOUNT]. I deny the remainder because: [FACTS AND DATES]
☐ I admit the claim as stated. [OPTIONAL EXPLANATION]
For a complaint with numbered allegations, my responses are:
| Complaint paragraph | Admit, deny, or explain | Facts supporting my response |
|---|---|---|
| [NUMBER] | [RESPONSE] | [FACTS] |
| [NUMBER] | [RESPONSE] | [FACTS] |
| [NUMBER] | [RESPONSE] | [FACTS] |
3. Defenses and Supporting Facts
I ask the court to consider these defenses, to the extent supported by the facts and applicable law:
| Defense or reason the claim should be reduced | Specific facts, dates, and documents |
|---|---|
| [DEFENSE OR REASON] | [FACTS AND SUPPORT] |
| [DEFENSE OR REASON] | [FACTS AND SUPPORT] |
Payments, credits, or other amounts that should reduce the claim: [AMOUNT AND EXPLANATION, OR NONE]
Documents or witnesses supporting my answer: [LIST, OR NONE]
4. Requested Judgment
I ask the court to:
☐ Enter judgment for the defendant on the plaintiff's claim.
☐ Reduce the plaintiff's claim by $[AMOUNT] for the reasons stated above.
☐ Grant other relief available in this case: [SPECIFY].
I understand that a claim for money against the plaintiff requires a separately filed counterclaim or another procedure accepted by the court. I am [☐ filing a separate counterclaim ☐ not filing a counterclaim].
5. Defendant's Signature
I state that the facts in this answer are true to the best of my knowledge.
Defendant's signature: ______________________________
Printed name: [FULL NAME]
Date: [DATE]
Mailing address: [ADDRESS]
Telephone: [PHONE]
Email, if used for court notices: [EMAIL]
6. Mailing Record
I mailed a copy of this answer to the plaintiff at [ADDRESS] on [DATE] by [METHOD].
Signature: ______________________________
Printed name: [FULL NAME]
Arizona small claims limits: The small claims division generally handles claims up to $5,000, excluding interest and costs, subject to the exceptions in A.R.S. § 22-503. The summons requires an answer within 20 days after service under § 22-514. A small claims decision is final without appeal under § 22-519. Check the court's current forms and filing instructions for its fee, delivery method, and any required form.
About this template
- Last updated
- November 9, 2026
- Citations checked
- November 9, 2026
- Jurisdiction
- Arizona
- Category
- Litigation & Court Documents
Legal authority
- A.R.S. § 22-503(A)
- A.R.S. § 22-514
- A.R.S. § 22-519
These are the filings that drive a lawsuit through the system: complaints, answers, motions, briefs, discovery requests and responses, and post-judgment papers. Each has its own format requirements under federal and state procedural rules, and each has a deadline that cannot be missed without consequences. Clean, procedurally correct filings move a case forward; sloppy ones invite motions to strike, amended responses, and avoidable delays.
Not legal advice
This template is provided for informational purposes. We recommend having an attorney review any legal document before signing, especially for high-value or complex matters.
Checked against the law it cites
A reviewer verified this template's legal citations against the official source on November 9, 2026.
A.R.S. § 22-503(A) (checked November 9, 2026): "The small claims division has concurrent original jurisdiction with the justice court in all civil actions in which the debt, damage, tort, injury or value of the personal property claims either by the plaintiff or defendant does not exceed $5,000, exclusive of interest and costs"
A.R.S. § 22-514 (checked November 9, 2026): "The time in which the summons shall require defendant to answer is in all cases twenty days, commencing from the date of service."
A.R.S. § 22-519 (checked November 9, 2026): "There shall be no appeal in a small claims procedure and the decision of the hearing officer or justice of the peace shall be final and binding on both parties."
Arizona Judicial Branch, Small Claims Information Sheet (checked November 9, 2026): "The defendant must file a written answer within 20 days of service and mail it to the plaintiff."
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