Court Summons-Out of Time

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What is the name of your state? California

What is the name of your state? California

My Parents received a summons for me via mail 2 days ago. The summons is dated 11/7/06 and states that i have 30 days to respond. The summons is from a debt collection agency, for a small debt that i apparently owe to a credit card company from appx 3 years ago prior to when i moved out of my parents home (i have not varified the debt and have no details, such as account #, etc).

I am running out of time as I currently work and live in another county from my parents. I never received the summons till i drove home last night to pick it up from them and am in the process of reviewing the document packet.

Problems:
1) The document states that i have 30 days from the 7th of November to respond to the summons, I dont know how to do this properly, i am pretty much out of time and i cant immediatly afford a lawyer. - is it possible to request more time from the court to respond (get an extension)?
2) I am not 100% positive that the debt is mine, and if it is i would like to pay it. WOuld contacting the collection agency tomorrow for more information be a 1st step?
3) I want to avoid a default judgment but am confused - from looking online, i am underthe impression that a default judgment will take place at a hearing - I looked online and found that i have a hearing/1st court date in march 07. But on the summons it states If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default. ANy one know which is correct???