how many days do you have to answer a counterclaim in federal court
Understanding a Counterclaim. 1  1. Learn the purpose of a counterclaim. A counterclaim is a claim against the party that originally instituted an action against you. 2  2. Understand when to file a counterclaim. Under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, you usually have 21 days from the day you receive your summons and complaint to file your answer.