Small Claims Answer - Preparation Worksheet - Connecticut
CONNECTICUT SMALL-CLAIMS ANSWER FORM-TRANSFER WORKSHEET
NOT FOR FILING
Use this worksheet to prepare information for the current court-issued Answer — Small Claims, JD-CV-40A1 (Rev. 1-26). File the official form, not this worksheet.
The court-issued form supplies the controlling docket number, case name, court address, Notice Issued Date, and Answer Date. The Answer Date is not the hearing date. Do not calculate or replace it from this worksheet.
1. Current Form and Case Control
| Item | Entry |
|---|---|
| Official answer form obtained from the Judicial Branch | ☐ JD-CV-40A1, current revision checked |
| Date form revision checked | [__/__/____] |
| Docket number exactly as issued | [________________________________] |
| Case name exactly as issued | [________________________________] |
| Court return address exactly as issued | [________________________________] |
| Notice Issued Date | [__/__/____] |
| Answer Date shown on the form | [__/__/____] |
| Plaintiff or representative delivery address | [________________________________] |
| Counsel or authorized reviewer | [________________________________] |
Attach a copy of the claim papers and the current blank official answer form to the working file.
2. Deadline and Proceeding Screen
Before preparing the answer, check for:
☐ A default, judgment, execution, or collection notice
☐ A motion to open, transfer, dismiss, consolidate, or stay
☐ A housing, consumer-debt, bankruptcy, military, probate, estate, subsidy, or other special issue
☐ A related case, arbitration, administrative matter, or settlement
☐ A counterclaim, setoff, or claim that may exceed small-claims jurisdiction
☐ A need for language access, disability accommodation, or legal assistance
Immediate issue and deadline: [________________________________]
Current official source or court notice controlling it: [________________________________]
Do not rely on this worksheet if a judgment or other deadline has already arisen.
3. Response Selection
The current official form permits the defendant to select all applicable response choices. Prepare concise facts for transfer into the form.
3.1 Disagree With the Claim
Exact part disputed: [________________________________]
Brief factual reason: [________________________________]
Documents or witnesses supporting the response: [________________________________]
3.2 Admit Part of the Claim
Amount admitted, if any: $[________________________________]
Amount disputed: $[________________________________]
Brief reason the entire amount is not owed: [________________________________]
Payment, credit, return, defect, performance, or other supporting record: [________________________________]
3.3 Admit the Claim but Request Time To Pay
Amount admitted: $[________________________________]
Proposed payment amount and frequency: [________________________________]
Facts supporting the request: [________________________________]
Do not promise a payment schedule that has not been reviewed for accuracy and feasibility.
4. Claim and Evidence Review
| Issue | Plaintiff's position | Defendant's facts | Supporting record | Reviewer conclusion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parties and capacity | [____] | [____] | [____] | [____] |
| Agreement, event, or transaction | [____] | [____] | [____] | [____] |
| Amount claimed | [____] | [____] | [____] | [____] |
| Payment, credit, return, or performance | [____] | [____] | [____] | [____] |
| Notice, delivery, or communications | [____] | [____] | [____] | [____] |
| Assignment or ownership of claim | [____] | [____] | [____] | [____] |
| Deadline or timeliness issue | [____] | [____] | [____] | [____] |
| Other defense or factual dispute | [____] | [____] | [____] | [____] |
This table is an issue inventory. It does not assert a defense, shift a burden, or preserve a right by itself.
5. Counterclaim or Setoff Screen
The current Practice Book permits a defendant or representative to claim a setoff or counterclaim within small-claims jurisdiction. Do not file one without confirming the current form, fee, Answer Date, jurisdiction, parties, factual basis, amount, and effect on transfer or other claims.
| Item | Entry |
|---|---|
| Counterclaim or setoff considered | ☐ No ☐ Yes |
| Person or entity allegedly owing money | [________________________________] |
| Amount | $[________________________________] |
| Transaction and facts | [________________________________] |
| Supporting documents | [________________________________] |
| Current fee and filing method checked | [________________________________] |
| Jurisdiction and transfer reviewed | [________________________________] |
| Counsel conclusion | [________________________________] |
Concise wording for the official form, if approved:
[____________________________________________________________]
6. Transfer-to-Regular-Docket Screen
A transfer is not accomplished by checking a box in this worksheet. Current Practice Book § 24-21 requires a timely motion and the applicable supporting ground, certification, documents, and fees.
| Transfer issue | Verified entry |
|---|---|
| Person eligible to move | [________________________________] |
| Motion deadline | [________________________________] |
| Supporting ground | [________________________________] |
| Affidavit, counterclaim, or jury material required | [________________________________] |
| Certification and recipients | [________________________________] |
| Current fees | [________________________________] |
| Regular docket or housing docket | [________________________________] |
| Counsel conclusion | [________________________________] |
If transfer is not pursued, do not state that jury rights, discovery, appeal, or other regular-docket procedures are categorically available or unavailable.
7. Filing and Delivery Plan
The current official form requires filing with the clerk, delivery of a copy to each plaintiff or representative, and completion of its Certification.
| Step | Verified entry |
|---|---|
| Filing method permitted for this filer | [________________________________] |
| Clerk or electronic filing destination | [________________________________] |
| Filing completed by Answer Date | [__/__/____] |
| Each plaintiff or representative | [________________________________] |
| Delivery method permitted and selected | [________________________________] |
| Written electronic-delivery consent, if required | [________________________________] |
| Delivery date | [__/__/____] |
| Proof retained | [________________________________] |
Do not fax an answer containing a counterclaim unless the current official instructions expressly permit it.
8. Official-Form Transfer Check
Before filing JD-CV-40A1:
☐ Docket number, case name, addresses, and Answer Date match the issued form
☐ Every selected response is accurate and concise
☐ Dollar amounts reconcile with the records
☐ Any counterclaim or setoff is authorized, timely, within jurisdiction, and supported
☐ The official form's Certification is complete
☐ A copy is delivered to every required plaintiff or representative
☐ The filing method is permitted for the filer
☐ A complete filed copy and delivery proof are retained
☐ Related-case, default, judgment, transfer, accommodation, and counsel issues are addressed
9. Reviewer Record
Prepared by: [________________________________]
Reviewed by: [________________________________]
Review date: [__/__/____]
Official materials checked: [________________________________]
Open issue or follow-up: [________________________________]
Reviewer approval to transfer the information into the official form: ☐
About this template
- Last updated
- August 24, 2026
- Citations checked
- August 24, 2026
- Jurisdiction
- Connecticut
- Category
- Litigation & Court Documents
Legal authority
- Conn. Practice Book § 24-16(a)
- Conn. Practice Book § 24-19
- Conn. Practice Book § 24-21(a)
- Connecticut Judicial Branch Form JD-CV-40A1 (Rev. 1-26)
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 August 24, 2026.
Connecticut Judicial Branch Form JD-CV-40A1 (Rev. 1-26) (checked August 24, 2026): "To answer this claim, fill out this form and file it with the clerk. Send a copy to each Plaintiff (or representative for the plaintiff) and fill out the Certification below."
Conn. Practice Book § 24-16(a) (checked August 24, 2026): "A defendant, unless the judicial authority shall otherwise order, shall be defaulted and judgment shall enter in accordance with the provisions of Section 24-24, unless such defendant shall, personally or by representative, not later than the answer date, file an answer or file a motion to transfer pursuant to Section 24-21."
Conn. Practice Book § 24-19 (checked August 24, 2026): "The defendant, or representative may claim any setoff or counterclaim within the jurisdiction of the small claims court."
Conn. Practice Book § 24-21(a) (checked August 24, 2026): "The defendant, or the plaintiff if the defendant has filed a counterclaim, shall file a motion to transfer the case to the regular docket. This motion must be filed on or before the answer date with certification of service pursuant to Section 10-12 et seq."
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