What is the Defendant’s Answer - Small Claims?

It is a form for a defendant to respond to claims in a small-claims petition, state defenses, and indicate preferences about a jury, email documents, and remote hearings.

How do I submit the Defendant’s Answer - Small Claims?

Send the answer to the court and serve the other parties using a method listed in the certificate of service: personal delivery, mail, fax, qualifying email, or another court-approved method.

Can I ask for a jury trial?

The form lets you request a jury trial. It states that the $22 fee must be paid at least 14 days before trial unless you file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs in compliance with the cited rule.

Hays County, TX · Hays County

No notary required

Defendant’s Answer – Small Claims

This answer form lets a defendant respond to a small-claims lawsuit and provide defenses, jury preferences, and options for receiving documents or attending hearings.

At a glance

Issued by: City of Hays County · Hays County, Hays County, Texas
Notarization: Not required: file this form without a notary.
Official source: hayscountytx.gov
Blank form: Download the PDF
Catalogued: Oct 5, 2026
Machine-readable: JSON record · about the forms index

What this form is

A defendant uses this form to generally deny the claims in a small-claims petition and may also explain disputes, list defenses, and request other relief. The form asks about a jury trial, email service, and participation in hearings by phone or video; it also includes a certificate of service. The answer says it must be sent to the court and served on the other parties.

Who needs it

A person named as the defendant in a small-claims lawsuit in the Justice Court identified on the form can use this answer.

How to submit it

Send the answer to the court and serve the other parties as stated in the certificate of service. The form lists personal delivery, mail, fax, email by written agreement, or another court-approved method.

About notarization

This document is signed without a notary; the defendant signs and dates the certificate of service, with no notarized or sworn attachment identified.

How to submit this form

1
Download the Answer
Download the Defendant’s Answer - Small Claims PDF.
2
Complete the Form
Enter the case and party information, respond to the claims, and mark your jury, email, and remote-participation choices.
3
Sign and Date
Sign the answer and complete the certificate of service, including the date and method used to serve the plaintiff.
4
Send and Serve the Answer
Send the answer to the court and serve the other parties using a method listed on the form.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Defendant’s Answer - Small Claims?: It is a form for a defendant to respond to claims in a small-claims petition, state defenses, and indicate preferences about a jury, email documents, and remote hearings.
Do I need a notary for the Defendant’s Answer - Small Claims?: No. This document is signed without a notary. The defendant signs and dates the certificate of service; the form identifies no notarized or sworn attachment.
How do I submit the Defendant’s Answer - Small Claims?: Send the answer to the court and serve the other parties using a method listed in the certificate of service: personal delivery, mail, fax, qualifying email, or another court-approved method.
Can I ask for a jury trial?: The form lets you request a jury trial. It states that the $22 fee must be paid at least 14 days before trial unless you file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs in compliance with the cited rule.

Need something notarized?

This Defendant’s Answer – Small Claims doesn’t need a notary, but Texas residents can notarize other documents online with a commissioned online notary.