If you've been sued for unlawful detainer in California, the clock is already running. This page walks you through exactly what to file, how to file it, and what happens if you don't — no legal jargon, just the steps.
Counted from the day after you were personally served — weekends and court holidays don't count toward the 10. Substituted or posted service can extend it further, so check your exact service date below.
How you were served changes the math. Pick your method below to see how many court days you get.
Papers handed to you directly. Clock starts the next court day.
Left with someone else at home/work, plus a mailed copy. Adds 5 court days.
Posted on the door and mailed after other attempts failed. Adds 10 court days.
Enter your service date above to see your deadline.
Check the Proof of Service on your Summons and Complaint. Personal service starts your 10-court-day clock the next court day; substituted or posted service can extend it further — get the exact date right before you count.
Almost every tenant needs Judicial Council form UD-105 (Answer—Unlawful Detainer). If you can't afford the filing fee, you'll also need FW-001 (Request to Waive Court Fees).
Open UD-105 in Formbono and fill it directly in your browser — check the boxes that match your situation, add your case details, and preview the finished page before you print it.
File your Answer with the same courthouse listed on your Summons — in person, by mail, or through your county's e-filing portal if it accepts self-represented filers.
Someone other than you (18+, not a party to the case) must serve the landlord or their attorney with a copy, then file a Proof of Service with the court.
The court will set a trial date, usually within 20 days. Gather your lease, payment records, photos, and messages — anything that supports the defenses you checked on your Answer.
Fill any of these directly in your browser — no printing, scanning, or separate PDF editor required.
Your formal response to the eviction lawsuit. This is the core form almost every tenant must file within the deadline.
Waives the filing fee if you can't afford it. Free to file, and most tenants who qualify for public benefits qualify automatically.
Only needed if more than one tenant is named on the Summons and you're filing a joint Answer.
UD-105 lists your defenses as checkboxes with legal names. Here's what each one actually means.
The 3-day, 30-day, or 60-day notice your landlord gave you was missing information, miscalculated the amount owed, or used the wrong timeline.
The Summons and Complaint weren't delivered to you the way the law requires — wrong method, wrong person, or no follow-up mailing.
The unit had serious repair issues — no heat, water leaks, mold, pests — that your landlord knew about and didn't fix.
You reported a code violation, requested repairs, or exercised a tenant right, and the eviction followed shortly after.
Your landlord accepted rent after serving the notice to quit, which can reset the tenancy and undercut the eviction.
The eviction was motivated by your race, disability, source of income, family status, or another protected characteristic.
File what you can today — a same-day Answer, even a simple general denial, protects you from default judgment while you keep building your case.
No. UD-105 is designed to be filed without an attorney, and Formbono's guided fill-in walks you through each legal term. For complex cases, free legal aid clinics can review your Answer before you file.
Substituted service (left with someone else) or posting-and-mailing can add extra days before your deadline starts — check the Proof of Service attached to your Summons for the method used.
Sometimes — courts can grant relief from a default judgment in limited circumstances. File a motion immediately and consider contacting legal aid; every day matters.
There's a standard court filing fee, but form FW-001 lets you request a full or partial waiver if you can't afford it.
Formbono is not a law firm and this page is not legal advice. If your situation is complex, consider contacting a local tenant rights organization or legal aid.