Filing an "answer" for more than one respondent.

[scoumbes]

West Virginia

My family and I was served with a summons for a petition/complaint through our county circuit court. It includes, me, my husband, my sister, and my uncle. Do we need to file our answer separately or can we file together? If we can't all file together can my husband and I at least file together since we are in the same household?

Thank you in advance for any responses!!

 

[Silverplum]

West Virginia

My family and I was served with a summons for a petition/complaint through our county circuit court. It includes, me, my husband, my sister, and my uncle. Do we need to file our answer separately or can we file together? If we can't all file together can my husband and I at least file together since we are in the same household?

Thank you in advance for any responses!!

Not that I saw, in a quick review: http://www.courtswv.gov/legal-community/court-rules/civil-procedure/III.htm

But you should read it carefully.

 

[latigo]

West Virginia

My family and I was served with a summons for a petition/complaint through our county circuit court. It includes, me, my husband, my sister, and my uncle. Do we need to file our answer separately or can we file together? If we can't all file together can my husband and I at least file together since we are in the same household?

Thank you in advance for any responses!!

No, the right of the individual to represent themselves in a lawsuit without appointed counsel is personal and thus limited to the individual litigant.

An attorney could appear and respond on behalf of all the named co-defendants. That is, provided there were no conflicting interests among them.

However, those co-defendants not formally represented by counsel must appear separately. And do so timely to avoid the entry of their default.

 

[scoumbes]

No, the right of the individual to represent themselves in a lawsuit without appointed counsel is personal and thus limited to the individual litigant.

An attorney could appear and respond on behalf of all the named co-defendants. That is, provided there were no conflicting interests among them.

However, those co-defendants not formally represented by counsel must appear separately. And do so timely to avoid the entry of their default.

thank you for the explanation!