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California Court Forms · Civil
The one-page answer that denies every allegation of the complaint. See when the form says it must be used, and when it may be used.
Mandatory form · Revised January 1, 2024 · 1 page · A proof of service such as POS-020, POS-030 or POS-040
The PDF is the Judicial Council’s own file on courts.ca.gov, revised January 1, 2024. Form page on courts.ca.gov ↗
Not legal advice. This page explains what the form asks; it does not tell you what to put in your case.
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Create a free accountWhat it is
PLD-050 says a general denial MUST be on this form if the amount asked for or the property value is $1,000 or less. It MAY be used if the complaint is not verified, or if it is verified and the case is a limited civil case ($35,000 or less), but not if the complaint involves a claim of more than $1,000 assigned to a third party for collection. It cites Code of Civil Procedure sections 431.30 and 431.40.
When it is used
The original must be filed with proof that a copy was served on each plaintiff’s attorney and each self-represented plaintiff. Anyone at least 18 except you or another party can serve it, by personal delivery or mail.
Section by section
Use the current official form and its instructions. The descriptions below identify the questions without choosing answers for your situation.
The defendant generally denies each and every allegation of the complaint.
Facts stated as separate affirmative defenses, with extra pages if needed; then date and signature.
A claim against the plaintiff may have to be stated in a cross-complaint or be lost (sections 426.10–426.40).
Who may serve, how, and the proof of service forms that may be used.
Before you file
These checks come from the official form and instructions. They are not a ranking of rejection reasons; the court decides whether a filing meets its requirements.
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Live counties with a relevant case type: Butte · Calaveras · Colusa · Contra Costa · Glenn · Los Angeles · Madera · Mariposa · Mendocino · Merced · Napa · San Bernardino · San Diego · San Luis Obispo · San Mateo · Santa Barbara · Santa Clara · Santa Cruz · Sonoma · Stanislaus · Sutter · Tehama · Yolo · Yuba. Check each listing’s new-case or existing-case status and document restrictions.
Questions
No. The form lists when it must be used ($1,000 or less) and when it may be used (an unverified complaint, or a verified complaint in a limited civil case, with an exception for assigned claims over $1,000).
The form warns that the law may require a cross-complaint for those claims, or you may lose the right to bring them.
Related forms
Not legal advice. This page explains public filing information. It does not tell you what to put in your own case. Legal Hub Group is a certified e-filing service provider for California courts, not a law firm.
Information checked as of October 2026. Rules, form revisions and provider prices can change. The court decides whether to accept a filing.
PLD-050 form revision: January 1, 2024.