LJuCR 3.6. Answer to Petition

    (a) Who Must Answer. All parents, legal custodians, and guardians named in the petition, and anyone else claiming a parental interest, must file an answer to the petition not later than the date provided in the case schedule.
    (b) Who May Answer. Any other party (e.g., CASA, child, tribe) may file an answer to the petition.
    (c) Content of Answer. The answer must specifically address and admit or deny each allegation in the petition. When the answering party intends in good faith to deny only a part of or to qualify an allegation, the answering party shall specify so much of it as is true and shall deny only the remainder. If the answering party is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of an allegation, the answering party shall so state, and this shall have the same effect as a denial.
    (d) Signature Required. An answer must be signed by the answering party or their attorney. If the response is signed only by the attorney, the response must include a certification that the answer was discussed with, and approved by, the answering party.

[Effective January 2, 1994; Amended effective March 20, 1997; September 1, 2023.]