I received a small claims notice. What do I do now?

If you have received an Original Notice and Petition naming you as a defendant in a small claims case, you should carefully read the Original Notice and Petition and review “Instructions for Defendant Responding to a Small Claims Action” on the Iowa Judicial Branch website at: https://www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/representing-yourself/small-claims/. Use Form 3.11 “Appearance and Answer of Defendant(s)” to respond to the Original Notice and Petition. You must electronically file this form within 20 calendar days from the date you received the Original Notice and Petition.

Court staff cannot tell you how to respond to the Original Notice and Petition. If you do not know how to fill out the correct court forms, you should talk to an attorney.