VTCourtForms: Answering a Small Claims Case in Vermont

A tool to guide you through Small Claims Answer forms on your phone or computer

VTCourtForms is a free tool that helps you complete and download forms in 3 steps.

Step 1: Answer simple questions. Your answers will be filled into the court forms for you.
Step 2: Preview the completed forms and edit your answers, if needed.
Step 3: Download, save, print or email the final forms.

You will need to mail, email, efile or deliver them to the court on your own. VTCourtForms will give you instructions.

“It reminds me of a tax preparation tool. You input your information and it fills it out on the forms where it should go.” — VTCourtForms user

What form will be produced?

This tool will produce a Small Claims Answer for Vermont courts – form 100-00126. This form responds to a small claims complaint. The tool will also produce other related forms and documents to respond to the court case.

Who can use this tool?

VTCourtForms was designed to be used by people who are not represented by a lawyer.
You can use this tool to start a small claims case anywhere in Vermont.
At this time, this tool is only available in English.

How much time to complete it?

It may take you 20 minutes to complete this. It will take longer if you choose to fill out financial forms, too.

What to know before you start

VTCourtForms is made for Vermonters who are not represented by a lawyer. If you do have a lawyer, contact your lawyer before you start this.
You have 30 days to reply to a Small Claims Complaint in Vermont. If you are past 30 days, you may still want to do these forms and get them into court as soon as possible before the plaintiff gets a judgement against you.
If you want to ask for a counterclaim against the plaintiff, be prepared to pay a court filing fee of $65 or $90, depending on the amount you are suing for. Or, be prepared to submit a fee waiver form to the court at the same time that you submit your Small Claims Answer.
Read about the full small claims process on the Small Claims Roadmap on VTLawHelp.org.

Information you will need

To use this tool, you will need to:

have the Small Claims Complaint in front of you
know the name and mailing address of the person, business or organization that is suing you
decide if you agree or disagree with the complaint
decide if you want to pursue a "counterclaim" against the plaintiff, and
if you have a low income or get public assistance, you may find out it is "exempt" from collection (meaning it cannot be taken to settle a debt). Have information on the public benefits you or a family member receive, as well as your incomes, expenses and assets.

After answering the questions

At the end you will get a chance to preview your form and make changes if you need to.
Then you can download, save, print and/or email a PDF of your completed form.
You will also get an instruction sheet about how to get the completed form to the court – this includes emailing or dropping it off at court.
This tool does not file forms for you. You will need to follow the instructions to get them to the court.