In federal civil procedure, within how many days must a defendant respond to a complaint with an answer or motion?

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Multiple Choice

In federal civil procedure, within how many days must a defendant respond to a complaint with an answer or motion?

The time to respond is 21 days after being served with the summons and complaint. This default rule comes from Rule 12(a)(1). The clock starts when service is complete, not when the defendant learns of the suit. If the defendant waives service under Rule 4(d), the deadline extends to 60 days (and to 90 days if the defendant is outside the United States). Note that service by mail can add three days under Rule 6, but the basic default in ordinary cases is 21 days.

The time to respond is 21 days after being served with the summons and complaint. This default rule comes from Rule 12(a)(1). The clock starts when service is complete, not when the defendant learns of the suit. If the defendant waives service under Rule 4(d), the deadline extends to 60 days (and to 90 days if the defendant is outside the United States). Note that service by mail can add three days under Rule 6, but the basic default in ordinary cases is 21 days.

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