Speak to an attorney for legal advice. This website, and this page, does not provide legal advice. The information on this page is current as of June 2026. Spalding Law Firm PLLC helps people file for bankruptcy and is a debt relief agency. Please see the Whatcom County District Court's website for a full list of procedures, requirements and instructions for responding to lawsuits. Do not rely on this website for advice or instructions. There may be requirements not listed here.

Whatcom County District Court hears small claims lawsuits. So this is where a creditor will sue you if you live in the county. But what is interesting, and important to know, is that this court hears small claims, which in this instance means claims up to $10,000. One benefit of being sued here is that if you are ordered to pay the creditor’s attorney’s fees, then the amount won’t be outrageous.

One of the most important things you can do when you get sued by a creditor is respond to the lawsuit within 20 days of being served and Always appear at trials—these are usually Bench Trials, which means the judge will decide the verdict.

There's several reasons for taking a creditor lawsuit seriously, but the primary reason is that it avoids a default judgment. Responding to a lawsuit in Whatcom County District Court is fairly easy. Answering a complaint involves filing an Answer Form with the Court Clerk and serving a copy of this document to the Plaintiff and the Plaintiff's Lawyer. Whatcom County permits electronic filing through their e-filing system.

Per the court's website, for more information you can contact Whatcom County District Court at 360-778-5095 (phone line for civil matters).

Consequences of not responding to a lawsuit: If you receive a default (or ordinary) judgment, your wages can be garnished, a judicial lien can be placed against your real property, your assets can be seized and more.

If you find that you're struggling to financially cope with debt, garnishments, or the other legal consequences of being successfully sued, you can request a free Bankruptcy Consultation with a Whatcom County Bankruptcy Attorney.

Immediate Steps to Take

1. Identify the Deadline

Check the summons for your exact deadline. In Washington state, you generally have 20 days from the date of service to respond, unless otherwise specified. This deadline is critical—missing it can result in a default judgment entered against you.

2. Review the Complaint

Read the documents carefully to understand exactly who is suing you, the amount claimed, and the specifics of the debt. Understanding the creditor's allegations is essential for crafting an effective response and identifying any potential defenses.

3. Draft your Answer

In your Answer, you must specifically admit, deny, or state that you lack enough information to address each claim. You can also include affirmative defenses (e.g., the debt is too old, you already paid, or it was discharged in bankruptcy). These defenses can be critical to your case.

4. Submit and Serve

File your Answer with the Whatcom County District Court. You must also serve a copy of your response to the plaintiff's attorney. Proper service is required—simply filing with the court is not enough.