Got served with
an eviction? Don't
lose by default.
The single most common reason tenants lose is the simplest: they never file a response, so the court rules against them automatically. This kit shows you, step by step, how to file your Answer on time and on your own — for your state.
It's information and self-help tools, not legal advice — and we point you to your court's own official form rather than filling one out for you.
Find my stateRead this first. Eviction deadlines are short and vary by court. This is self-help information and tools, not legal advice, and DepositHawk is not a law firm. Confirm every date with the court on your papers. If you can, contact free local legal aid right away.
Everything you need to respond — and nothing that pretends to be your lawyer.
Your response deadline, as a reference
We show your state's general window with the statute behind it — and tell you, loudly, to call your court and confirm the exact date. We never hand you a countdown to bet your home on.
Step-by-step: how to file your Answer
The actual sequence for your state — where you file, in writing or in person, and what happens if you miss it. Written so you can follow it the day you read it.
A link to your court's official form
Where one exists (like California's UD-105), we send you straight to your court's own form. You fill it out — your facts, your decisions.
Common defenses, explained plainly
The defenses tenants in your state commonly raise — improper notice, conditions, payment made, retaliation — described neutrally so you can think about what fits. Information, not advice on your case.
Evidence checklist + what a hearing looks like
What to gather, how to organize it, and a walk-through of what to expect when you stand in front of the judge.
A route to a real person
A direct link to the legal-aid directory for your area, because some situations need a lawyer — and we'd rather you talk to one.
Start with your state.
We currently cover California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, and New York. Pick yours and we'll tailor the kit. In any other state we won't sell you a kit — we'll point you to free help instead.
What we are, and what we're not.
DepositHawk is a self-help publisher. We give you general information about the law and tools to organize your own response. We are not a law firm, we don't give legal advice, and using this kit does not create an attorney-client relationship.
We don't tell you which defense your case should raise, we don't fill out your court forms, and we don't file or appear for you. Those are decisions only you — or a lawyer you hire — can make. We can't promise you'll win, and we won't pretend otherwise.
The most dangerous number in any eviction is the deadline. We show your state's general window so you understand it, but how the days are counted depends on how you were served and on local court rules. Always confirm your exact deadline with the court on your papers before you rely on any date — including ours.
Some situations are beyond a self-help kit. If yours is, please talk to a real person: find free legal aid at LawHelp.org. And if you bought this and it turns out not to fit your situation, reply to your receipt — we'll refund you, no questions asked.
Questions people ask first.
What do I actually get for $129?
A state-specific kit that walks you through responding to your eviction on your own: your response deadline (shown as a reference to confirm with your court), step-by-step instructions to file your Answer, a link to your court's own official form, common defenses explained plainly, an evidence checklist, and what to expect at the hearing. It's information and self-help tools — not a filled-out court document and not legal advice.
Will you fill out my court forms or file for me?
No. We point you to your court's own official answer form and show you how to fill it out and file it yourself. We are not a law firm, we don't appear in court for you, and we don't tell you which defense your specific case should raise. That keeps you in control of your own facts.
Can you tell me my exact deadline?
We show your state's general response window with the statute behind it — but eviction deadlines are short and courts count days differently depending on how you were served and local rules. The kit's #1 instruction is to call the clerk at the court named on your papers and confirm your exact deadline today. Treat our date as a reference, never the final word.
What if I lose my case?
We can't promise any outcome — anyone who does is lying to you. What this kit does is help you avoid the most common way tenants lose: never responding at all and losing by default. Responding on time gets you a hearing instead of an automatic loss.
What if I bought the wrong thing, or you don't cover my state?
Reply to your receipt and we'll refund you, no questions asked. If we don't yet cover your state, don't buy — we'll point you to free guidance and local legal aid instead.
DepositHawk is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Information and documents are for informational purposes only. No attorney-client relationship is created. Consult a licensed attorney for advice specific to your situation. Eviction deadlines are short and vary by court — confirm every date with the court on your papers or a local legal-aid office. This kit is self-help information and tools, not legal advice.