ANSWER TO
EQUITY COMPLAINT

DOCKET NO.

Trial Court of Massachusetts
Juvenile Court Department

 Plaintiff(s):

v.

Defendant(s):

I/We, the Defendant(s) in the above mentioned action, understand that I/we must state fully and specifically what facts set
out in the plaintiff(s)' complaint I/we deny and what facts I/we admit.  I/We do so as follows (attach another sheet if you
require additional space):
_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Attorney's Signature (if applicable)

Defendant's Signature

Date

Address

Telephone No.

         BBO No.

Defendant's Signature

Agent's Signature (if applicable)

Defendant(s)' Address (Agent if applicable)

Telephone No.

INSTRUCTIONS:    Once  completed,  you  must  serve  the  Plaintiff(s),  the  Plaintiff(s)'  Agent,  or  the  Plaintiff(s)'
Attorney with a copy of the Answer to the address provided in the complaint.  Service should be completed by
mailing  the  Answer  by  first-class  mail,  postage  prepaid.    You  must  also  mail  one  copy  of  the  Answer  to  the
Clerk-Magistrate, first-class mail, postage prepaid.  If the plaintiff does not provide an address, mail two copies
to the Clerk-Magistrate.

RETURN OF SERVICE

      I certify under pains and penalties of perjury that I have served a copy of the Answer to the Plaintiff(s) by
first-class mail, postage prepaid.  Attached is a copy of the Answer for filing.

      I certify that I was unable to serve the Answer for the following reason:

                                                                                                             .  Attached are two copies of the answer.

JV-28  (Revised 07/17/2012)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DEFENDANT(S)

The Plaintiff(s) has/have filed an equity complaint naming you as the Defendant(s).  Enclosed in this
mailing are the following documents:

1)  A copy of the Plaintiff(s)' Complaint; (The Complaint contains the Plaintiff(s)' claim and

                 request for court action.  For example, to enforce the terms of a post-adoption agreement
                 along with information about how the agreement was violated);

2)  Defendant(s)' Answer Form, which contains Return of Service; and
3)  Order of Notice issued by the Juvenile Court requiring you to appear in court.

Do I need an attorney?  You are not required to bring an attorney to the hearing, but you may do so if
you wish.  By law, the court cannot appoint an attorney for you even if you cannot afford one.

How Should I complete the Answer and Return of Service Form? You should clearly and concisely
state which,  if any,  of the  Plaintiff(s)' claims  you deny.   In addition,  you  should  explain  why  the court
should  not  order  what  the  Plaintiff(s)  has/have  requested.    Finally,  you  should  sign  and  date  the
Answer and complete the Return of Service indicating whether:

1)  you mailed a copy of your Answer by first-class mail, postage prepaid, or
2)  you were unable to mail a copy of your Answer and mailed two copies of your Answer to

                 the court.

Once you have completed the Answer form, you must mail or file one copy of your Answer in the Clerk-
Magistrate's office at the address provided in the Order of Notice.  You must also serve the Plaintiff(s),
the  Plaintiff(s)'  Agent,  or  the  Plaintiff(s)'  Attorney  (see  Complaint)  with  a  copy  of  the  Answer  to  the
address provided in the complaint in accordance with your Answer in the Return of Service.  If you are
unable to serve the Plaintiff(s), mail two copies of the complaint to the Clerk-Magistrate's office.  One
copy  will  be  filed  with  the  clerk's  office  and  the  other  will  be  mailed  to  the  Plaintiff(s)  (if  Plaintiff(s)'
address is left blank on the complaint form, per the Plaintiff(s)' request, the Clerk's office will forward
the Answer to the Plaintiff(s)).

What is the Order of Notice?   The Order of Notice tells you when and where you need to come to
court.

What happens if you cannot come to court on the date contained in the summons? Both parties
must appear in court on the date the case is scheduled for hearing.  If you cannot come to court on that
date, contact the clerk's office immediately upon receipt of your court date.  Do not wait until the last
minute.  If  you  fail  to  appear  for  the  hearing,  the  court  will  proceed  to  the  hearing  and
adjudication of this action.