If you ignore a civil lawsuit summons, the person or company suing you can ask the court for a default judgment. That means the judge rules in their favor automatically, without ever hearing your side, simply because you failed to respond within the deadline. Once a default judgment is entered, the other side can usually collect the full amount they asked for, plus court costs and sometimes interest, through wage garnishment, bank account levies, or property liens.
Every state sets its own deadline for responding to a summons, typically somewhere between 20 and 30 days from the date you're served, though it can be shorter in some jurisdictions. The summons itself will state the deadline and tell you where to file your response, often called an "answer." Missing that window is what opens the door to a default judgment.
A default judgment is a real, enforceable court order. It goes on your record the same as any other judgment, can show up on background checks, and can hurt your credit. Creditors or plaintiffs with a default judgment can often freeze your bank account or garnish a portion of your paycheck without having to prove their case further, because the judgment already establishes that you owe the money.
Ignoring the summons does not mean the problem goes away if you later decide to deal with it. Courts generally allow a default judgment to be challenged or "set aside," but only if you act quickly and have a valid reason, such as never actually being served, a serious illness, or some other excuse the court finds reasonable. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to undo the damage, and many judges are unsympathetic to someone who simply chose not to respond.
Even if you believe the lawsuit is frivolous, exaggerated, or filed by the wrong party, you still need to respond formally. Failing to show up is treated as if you have no defense at all, even when you might have had a strong one. Responding, even with a brief, basic answer denying the claims, preserves your right to fight the case, negotiate a settlement, or present evidence later.
If you've been served with a lawsuit and aren't sure how to respond, don't wait until the deadline is almost up. Many courts have self-help centers or simplified forms for people representing themselves, especially in small claims court. For larger or more complicated cases, it's worth consulting an attorney, even briefly, since many offer low-cost initial consultations and can tell you quickly whether you have a defense worth pursuing. Legal aid organizations may also help if you can't afford a lawyer.
In short, a lawsuit doesn't resolve itself just because you look away. The safest move is always to open the envelope, note the deadline, and respond in some form before time runs out.