{"data":{"id":"us-nc/n.c.-gen.-stat.-7a-218","jurisdiction":"us-nc","citation":"N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-218","heading":"Answer of defendant.","body":"At any time prior to the time set for trial, the defendant may file a written answer admitting or denying all or any of the allegations in the complaint, or pleading new matter in avoidance. No particular form is required, but it is sufficient if in a form to enable a person of common understanding to know the nature of the defense intended. A general denial of all the allegations of the complaint is permissible.\nFailure of defendant to file a written answer after being subjected to the jurisdiction of the court over his person constitutes a general denial. (1965, c. 310, s. 1; 1967, c. 691, s. 20.)","path":["Chapter 7A. Judicial Department.","SUBCHAPTER IV. DISTRICT COURT DIVISION OF THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE.","Article 19. Small Claim Actions in District Court."],"source_url":"https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_7A/GS_7A-218.html","current_through":"S.L. 2026-30","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T17:55:27Z","sha256":"fbd334e6983ea8c8c41432b348b2c7dc43bdf0f2893667bd715de9e349dc4454","source_id":"us-nc","stale":false,"prev":"us-nc/n.c.-gen.-stat.-7a-217","next":"us-nc/n.c.-gen.-stat.-7a-219"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}