IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT FOR [_____] COUNTY

SMALL CLAIMS DIVISION

[PLAINTIFF NAME],
  Plaintiff,

v.

[DEFENDANT NAME],
  Defendant.

Case No. [SCCV_]

DEFENDANT’S APPEARANCE, ANSWER, AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES,

AND (OPTIONAL) COUNTERCLAIM

[// GUIDANCE: Use this template for all money-damage actions filed in Iowa Small Claims Court (currently ≤ $6,500, Iowa Code ch. 631). Remove bracketed guidance before filing.]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Document Header & Appearance
II. General Responses to Plaintiff’s Claim
III. Specific Admissions & Denials (Optional)
IV. Affirmative Defenses
V. Counterclaim / Setoff (Optional)
VI. Prayer for Relief
VII. Reservation of Additional Defenses
VIII. Verification
IX. Certificate of Service

I. DOCUMENT HEADER & APPEARANCE

1. Appearance. Pursuant to Iowa Code § 631.5 and the Original Notice served on [SERVICE DATE], Defendant [DEFENDANT NAME] hereby appears and answers.
2. Parties.
   a. Plaintiff: [PLAINTIFF NAME, ADDRESS] (“Plaintiff”).
   b. Defendant: [DEFENDANT NAME, ADDRESS] (“Defendant”).
3. Jurisdiction & Venue. Defendant admits this Court has subject-matter jurisdiction under Iowa Code ch. 631 and that venue is proper in this county.
4. Demand for Hearing. Defendant is prepared to appear at the hearing presently scheduled for [HEARING DATE] at [TIME] a.m./p.m. in Courtroom [__].

II. GENERAL RESPONSES TO PLAINTIFF’S CLAIM

1. Nature of Claim. Plaintiff alleges [BRIEF SUMMARY OF COMPLAINT].
2. General Denial. Except as expressly admitted herein, Defendant denies each and every allegation of the Complaint and demands strict proof thereof. Iowa R. Civ. P. 1.405(1).

III. SPECIFIC ADMISSIONS & DENIALS (Use if paragraph-by-paragraph response desired)

[// GUIDANCE: Paragraph-by-paragraph responses are optional in small claims but can aid clarity.]

IV. AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES

Without conceding any burden of proof, Defendant asserts the following defenses under Iowa R. Civ. P. 1.433. Each defense is pled in the alternative.

1. Failure to State a Claim. The Complaint fails to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action.
2. Payment and/or Accord & Satisfaction. Any amount claimed has been paid, discharged, or compromised.
3. Statute of Limitations. The action is barred in whole or part by Iowa Code ch. 614.
4. Setoff/Recoupment. Any liability is offset by sums Plaintiff owes Defendant, as detailed infra.
5. Lack of Standing. Plaintiff lacks legal capacity or ownership of the claim.
6. Unjust Enrichment. Plaintiff seeks recovery that would unjustly enrich Plaintiff.
7. Failure of Consideration. No valid consideration supports Plaintiff’s claim.
8. Mitigation. Plaintiff failed to mitigate damages.
9. Illegality / Public Policy. Enforcement would violate public policy.
10. Additional Defenses Reserved. See § VII, infra.

[// GUIDANCE: Delete, add, or re-order defenses to fit case facts. Iowa law requires most affirmative defenses to be pled now or they are waived.]

V. COUNTERCLAIM / SETOFF (Optional)

[Only include if Defendant has an affirmative claim ≤ $6,500 arising out of the same transaction or within small-claims jurisdiction. Iowa Code § 631.7.]

1. Parties. Counter-Claimant: Defendant [DEFENDANT NAME]. Counter-Defendant: Plaintiff [PLAINTIFF NAME].
2. Jurisdiction. This Counterclaim is within the monetary and subject-matter jurisdiction of Iowa small claims court.
3. Factual Basis. On or about [DATE], Plaintiff [FACTS SUPPORTING COUNTERCLAIM].
4. Causes of Action.
   a. Breach of Contract – Failure to pay [DESCRIPTION].
   b. Unjust Enrichment – Retention of benefit without payment.
5. Damages. Defendant demands judgment against Plaintiff in the amount of $[_____] plus court costs, interest as allowed by law, and any other relief the Court deems just.
6. Prayer (Counterclaim). See § VI, infra.

VI. PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that the Court:
A. Dismiss Plaintiff’s Complaint with prejudice;
B. Enter judgment in favor of Defendant on any Counterclaim in the amount of $[_____] plus costs, interest, and statutory fees;
C. Tax court costs to Plaintiff; and
D. Grant such further relief as equity and good conscience require.

VII. RESERVATION OF ADDITIONAL DEFENSES

Defendant reserves the right to amend this Answer to assert any additional defenses, counterclaims, or cross-claims that become known through discovery or further investigation, pursuant to Iowa R. Civ. P. 1.402(4).

VIII. VERIFICATION (Required in some Iowa counties—confirm local practice)

I, [DEFENDANT NAME], affirm under penalty of perjury that the statements in the foregoing Answer, Affirmative Defenses, and Counterclaim are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.

Date: ___ / /20

[DEFENDANT NAME], Defendant
[DEFENDANT ADDRESS]
[DEFENDANT PHONE] | [EMAIL]

IX. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that on ___ / /20 I served a copy of this Appearance, Answer, Affirmative Defenses, and (Optional) Counterclaim on all parties or their counsel of record by:

☐ Iowa eFile system
☐ First-class mail, postage prepaid, to: [OPPOSING ADDRESS]
☐ Other: ________

[DEFENDANT OR ATTORNEY NAME]

[// GUIDANCE:
1. Filing Deadline – File on or before the “Appearance Date” indicated in the Original Notice (usually at least 20 days after service). Iowa Code § 631.5.
2. Filing Method – Small claims pleadings must be e-filed unless exempt.
3. Fee – A counterclaim requires an additional filing fee unless already paid.
4. Attachments – Include any relevant exhibits (e.g., receipts, contracts) as separate PDF attachments labeled “Exhibit A,” “Exhibit B,” etc.
5. Hearing – Bring originals of all exhibits and extra copies for the Court and Plaintiff.]