Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

Re: Eviction answer to unlawful detainer

There is no requirement that answers be type-written, but it is recommended. Before you go to the court clerk's office to file you answer, you may fill out the answer by hand. Just print legibly.

As for when you need to file your answer, there no 5-day added time if you were served in person.

For more information on responding to landlord/tenant lawsuits and getting possible assistance from legal aid if you cannot afford an attorney, go to the following website:

http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/other/landten.htm

http://www.lawhelpcalifornia.org/CA/StateChannelResults.cfm/County/%20/City/%20/demoMode/%3D%201/Language/1/State/CA/TextOnly/N/ZipCode/%20/LoggedIn/0/iSubTopicID/1/iProblemCodeID/1630100/sTopicImage/g-housing.gif/iTopicID/835/ichannelid/137/bAllState/0

Best of luck.

Re: Eviction answer to unlawful detainer

If you are answering an unlawful detainer complaint, it's best that you take your time and contemplate what you're doing. Then -- by the 5th day after they were served -- take them to the courthouse and file them at the filing window.

You might want to look at the information sheet to see if you qualify for a fee waiver: http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/forms/documents/fw001info.pdf . All of the forms are available at that site. Good luck!