§ Rule 12(a) When Presented

Codes > Rules of Civil Procedure for the Superior Courts of Arizona > III Pleadings > Rule 12 > Rule 12(a)

Rule 12(a). When Presented

    (1) A defendant shall serve and file an answer

        (A) within twenty days after the service of the summons and complaint upon the defendant, except as otherwise provided in Rules 4.2(d) and 4.2(m) of these rules; or

        (B) if service of the summons has been timely waived on request under Rule 4.1(c) or 4.2(c), within sixty (60) days after the date when the request was sent, or within ninety (90) days after that date if the defendant was addressed outside any judicial district of the United States.

    (2) A party served with a pleading stating a cross-claim against that party shall serve and file an answer thereto within twenty days after being served. The plaintiff shall serve and file a reply to a counterclaim in the answer within twenty days after service of the answer or, if a reply is ordered by the court, within twenty days after service of the order, unless the order otherwise directs.

    (3) Unless a different time is fixed by court order, the service of a motion permitted under this rule alters these periods of time as follows:

        (A) if the court denies the motion or postpones its disposition until the trial on the merits, the responsive pleading shall be served within ten days after notice of the court's action; or

        (B) if the court grants a motion for a more definite statement, the responsive pleading shall be served within ten days after service of the more definite statement.