The summons shall be issued in the name of the Commonwealth, be dated and signed by the clerk, contain the name of the court and the style and number of the action, and be directed to each defendant, notifying him that a legal action has been filed against him and that unless a written defense is made by him or by an attorney in his behalf within 20 days following the day on which the summons is served on him a judgment may issue against him for the relief demanded.
Rule 4.02.Summons -- Form.
Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceRule 4.02 sets the required contents of a Kentucky summons: it must issue in the Commonwealth's name, be dated and signed by the clerk, identify the court and case, name each defendant, and warn that a default judgment can follow if no written defense is filed within 20 days of service.
Full Text of Rule 4.02
Amendment History
(Amended effective July 1, 1975.)
Plain-English Summary
Rule 4.02 tells the clerk what a summons has to say. It must come from the Commonwealth, carry the clerk's signature and a date, show the court's name along with the case caption and number, and name the defendant being served. Beyond identifying the case, the summons carries a warning: the defendant has 20 days from the day of service to file a written defense, either alone or through an attorney, or the plaintiff may obtain a judgment for what the complaint demands.
For a defendant, the summons is the formal notice that a lawsuit exists and that the clock is already running. Missing the 20-day window does not end the case — it can end the defendant's chance to contest it, because the rule allows judgment to issue against a defendant who never answers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do I have to respond after being served in a Kentucky civil case?
Rule 4.02 gives a defendant 20 days from the day the summons is served to file a written defense, either personally or through an attorney.
What happens if I don't answer a Kentucky summons in time?
The rule states that a judgment may issue against a defendant who fails to make a written defense within 20 days of service.
Who signs a Kentucky summons?
The summons is issued in the name of the Commonwealth and must be dated and signed by the clerk of the court.
Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure (Ky. R. Civ. P. 4.02). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Kentucky (Ky. Const. § 116). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. ·
Official source
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