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IN THE [COURT NAME] FOR [COUNTY] COUNTY, TENNESSEE
[CIVIL ACTION CASE NO. _____]

[PLAINTIFF NAME(S)], )
Plaintiff(s), )
)
v. )
)
[DEFENDANT NAME(S)], )
Defendant(s). )
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ANSWER OF DEFENDANT [DEFENDANT NAME(S)] TO THE COMPLAINT
(GENERAL DENIAL – TENN. R. CIV. P. 8 & 12)
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[// GUIDANCE: Replace every bracketed placeholder before filing. Verify that all admissions, denials, and affirmative defenses are supported by the facts and that all procedural deadlines have been met.]

Table of Contents
I. Preliminary Statements
II. Responses to Numbered Allegations
III. General Denial
IV. Affirmative Defenses
V. Counterclaims (If Any)
VI. Reservation of Additional Defenses & Right to Amend
VII. Prayer for Relief
VIII. Demand for Jury Trial (Optional)
IX. Certificate of Service
X. Verification (Optional)

I. PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS

1. Timeliness. Pursuant to Tenn. R. Civ. P. 12.01, Defendant files this Answer within thirty (30) days after service of the Summons and Complaint.
2. Rule 8 Compliance. Consistent with Tenn. R. Civ. P. 8.02–8.03, Defendant answers each allegation in separately numbered paragraphs corresponding to the Complaint and asserts applicable affirmative defenses.
3. Reservation. By answering, Defendant does not waive, and expressly reserves, all rights to move under Tenn. R. Civ. P. 12 or otherwise, to compel arbitration (if later discovered to apply), or to seek dismissal on any proper ground.

II. RESPONSES TO NUMBERED ALLEGATIONS

[// GUIDANCE: Copy each paragraph of the Complaint verbatim or paraphrase it before responding. The numbers below are illustrative only.]

Paragraph 1: Admit that __.
Paragraph 2: Deny.
Paragraph 3: Lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief and therefore denies.
…
Paragraph __ : Defendant admits the existence of the written contract attached as Exhibit “A” to the Complaint; all remaining allegations are denied.

III. GENERAL DENIAL

Defendant denies each and every allegation of the Complaint not expressly and specifically admitted herein. See Tenn. R. Civ. P. 8.03.

IV. AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES

Without assuming any burden of proof not otherwise imposed by law, Defendant asserts the following defenses pursuant to Tenn. R. Civ. P. 8.03. Defendant reserves the right to withdraw, amend, or supplement these defenses as discovery proceeds.

1. Failure to State a Claim – Tenn. R. Civ. P. 12.02(6).
2. Lack of Subject-Matter Jurisdiction – Tenn. R. Civ. P. 12.02(1).
3. Lack of Personal Jurisdiction / Insufficiency of Service of Process – Tenn. R. Civ. P. 12.02(2) & (5).
4. Statute of Limitations – Tenn. Code Ann. § [INSERT].
5. Statute of Frauds – Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-2-101.
6. Comparative Fault / Fault of Non-Parties – Tenn. Code Ann. § 20-1-119.
7. Contributory Negligence and/or Failure to Mitigate.
8. Accord and Satisfaction; Payment and Release.
9. Estoppel, Waiver, and Laches.
10. Offset / Set-Off and Recoupment.
11. Unclean Hands.
12. Improper Venue or Forum Non Conveniens.
13. Reservation of Defenses Arising From Discovery.

[// GUIDANCE: Delete defenses that do not apply. Adding unsupportable defenses risks sanctions under Tenn. R. Civ. P. 11.]

V. COUNTERCLAIMS (If Any) – Tenn. R. Civ. P. 13

[// GUIDANCE: Compulsory counterclaims must be pleaded in the Answer or are barred. Permissive counterclaims may be asserted here or later.]

Counterclaim I – [e.g., Breach of Contract]
1. Parties. Counter-Plaintiff [Defendant Name] incorporates all prior paragraphs by reference.
2. Facts. On or about _, Plaintiff _.
3. Breach. Plaintiff breached the agreement by _____.
4. Damages. Counter-Plaintiff has suffered damages in the amount of $______, plus interest, costs, and attorney’s fees as allowed by law or contract.

WHEREFORE, Counter-Plaintiff demands judgment against Counter-Defendant for all compensatory damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, costs, and any further relief the Court deems just.

VI. RESERVATION OF ADDITIONAL DEFENSES & RIGHT TO AMEND

Defendant expressly reserves the right to amend this Answer to assert additional defenses, counterclaims, or third-party claims that may become known through investigation or discovery, as permitted by Tenn. R. Civ. P. 15.

VII. PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that the Court:
A. Dismiss the Complaint with prejudice;
B. Award Defendant its costs incurred herein;
C. Grant such other and further relief as equity and justice require.

VIII. DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL (Optional)

[// GUIDANCE: Omit or retain consistent with your litigation strategy. A written jury demand must be made “not later than the filing of the last pleading directed to such issue.” Tenn. R. Civ. P. 38.02.]

Defendant hereby demands a trial by jury on all issues so triable.

IX. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that a true and exact copy of the foregoing Answer was served via [☐ E-file & E-serve / ☐ U.S. Mail / ☐ Email / ☐ Hand Delivery] upon:

[Opposing Counsel Name]
[Law Firm]
[Street Address]
[City, State ZIP]
Email: [____]

on this the ___ day of ____, 20__.

[ATTORNEY NAME] (BPR No. _)
[Law Firm]
[Street Address]
[City, TN ZIP]
Phone: () -
Email: _______
Counsel for Defendant [Name]

X. VERIFICATION (Optional – Use if Required by Statute or Local Rule)

STATE OF TENNESSEE )
COUNTY OF [____] )

Before me, the undersigned Notary Public, personally appeared _______, who, being duly sworn, deposes and says that the facts stated in the foregoing Answer are true and correct to the best of his/her knowledge, information, and belief.

[DEFENDANT REPRESENTATIVE NAME]
Title: _________

Sworn to and subscribed before me this ___ day of ____, 20__.

Notary Public
My Commission Expires: _____

[// GUIDANCE:
1. Answer Deadline – Tenn. R. Civ. P. 12.01: 30 days after service of the Summons and Complaint (additional time allowed when service is by mail or out-of-state; confirm specific circumstance).
2. Counterclaims – Tenn. R. Civ. P. 13.01 & 13.02: Compulsory counterclaims must be filed with the Answer; permissive counterclaims may be filed with leave.
3. Amendments – Tenn. R. Civ. P. 15.01: Amendment as of right within 21 days after serving the Answer or by leave of court.
4. Ensure that every factual assertion has evidentiary support and that all defenses satisfy Rule 11. Failure to do so may result in sanctions.
]