The easiest way to handle it is to call the plaintiff's attorney and explain why the corporation needs an extension for a reasonable period (usually a couple of weeks). Then, confirm your agreement in a short letter on corporate letterhead. In that way, you will avoid the plaintiff's taking the corporation's default.

Mr. Cohen is correct. That is the standard practice. Courts hate surprise defaults and are pretty much required to set them aside on a motion by the defendant. So attorneys routinely grant reasonable extensions to file an answer.

You can negotiate the time extension and confirm it in writing, or, hire an attorney and have an attorney do it. If you are interested in using my firm for your defense, you may contact me. I routinely obtain extensions in such circumstances and can do so immediately for you. You may take a look at my website for more information about my litigation defense practice.

Best,

Daniel Bakondi, Esq.

danielbakondi@yahoo.com

415-450-0424

The Law Office of Daniel Bakondi, APLC

870 Market Street, Suite 1161

San Francisco CA 94102

http://www.danielbakondi.com

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This communication may contain confidential information, privileged information, or attorney work product. If you are not the intended recipient or received this message in error, any use or distribution of this message is strictly prohibited and unlawful. Please notify the sender immediately, and delete this message. No attorney-client nor confidential relationship is created through this communication. Nothing communicated or provided constitutes legal advice nor a legal opinion unless it so specifies and written agreement for attorney services has been entered into. Attorney licensed in California only. Your issue may be time sensitive and may result in loss of rights if you do not act in time. Thank you.

All the suggestions are worthwhile, but if you are sued the proper questions are, how to defend and try to avoid a judgment against you or try to negotiate an appropriate settlement. Your attorney will know how to do so. If serious about doing so, feel free to contact me. I’ll be happy to help you use whatever defenses you may have. In the meantime, if you fell you have to contact the plaintiff attorney for extra time, do NOT discuss the case, only the extension.