To answer the complaint in the 30 day time limit do the following:
You should have received a fill in the blank answer form when you were served with the Complaint. You can simply fill in that standard Answer Form for Summary Court and mark the box that says I deny the allegations of the complaint. This is called a general denial and requires the creditor to come to court and prove its case against you.
You should not put any personal information on this form other than your name and address. Also there is no need to put the reason you haven’t paid this debt unless it’s because you don’t owe it. For example, being unemployed, in the hospital and such is not a defense to the lawsuit.
You should also have the form for a counterclaim in the papers you received. If the creditor that is suing you has harassed or threatened you or otherwise treated you unfairly, you can write about it here and sue them back.
Take the originals of these documents to the court for filing. Keep a copy for yourself and one to send to the creditor by certified mail.