It shall be sufficient in such action if the answer denies generally the title alleged in the complaint, or that the defendant withholds possession, as the case may be; but if the defendant denies the title of the plaintiff, possession by the defendant shall be taken as admitted. If the defendant does not defend for the whole premises, the answer shall describe the particular part for which defense is made.
§ 25-2125.Ejectment; answer; contents.
Article 21: Special Proceedings and Actions · Last amended 2002 · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceA defendant in an ejectment action can answer by generally denying the plaintiff’s claimed title or denying that possession is being withheld, though denying the plaintiff’s title counts as admitting possession, and a defendant contesting only part of the property must describe that part.
Full Text of § 25-2125
Source
R.S.1867, Code § 627, p. 505; R.S.1913, § 8240; C.S.1922, § 9193; C.S.1929, § 20-2125; R.S.1943, § 25-2125; Laws 2002, LB 876, § 31.
Plain-English Summary
Just as section 25-2124 keeps the ejectment complaint short, section 25-2125 keeps the answer short. A defendant can respond with a general denial of the title the complaint alleges, or a general denial that the defendant is withholding possession, whichever fits the defense being raised.
Denying the plaintiff’s title carries a built-in consequence: it is taken as an admission that the defendant possesses the property. The logic runs both ways — if a defendant were not in possession, there would be little point disputing who holds title, so the statute treats a title dispute as conceding the possession question.
The section also addresses partial defenses. When a defendant does not defend the whole property described in the complaint, the answer must describe the particular part being defended, so the case can proceed with a clear picture of what remains contested.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can a defendant respond to an ejectment complaint?
With a general denial of the plaintiff’s claimed title, or a general denial that the defendant is withholding possession, depending on the defense.
What happens if I deny the plaintiff’s title to the land?
Denying the plaintiff’s title is taken as an admission that the defendant possesses the property.
Do I admit anything just by denying title?
Yes. Possession by the defendant is deemed admitted once the defendant denies the plaintiff’s title.
What if I only want to contest part of the property described in the complaint?
The answer must describe the particular part for which the defense is made.
Is a general denial enough to respond to an ejectment complaint?
Yes, the section treats a general denial of title or of withholding possession as sufficient.
Source & verification. Section text and the amendment-history citation are
reproduced verbatim from the Nebraska Legislature, Revisor of Statutes, enacted by the
Nebraska Legislature. Last verified July 22, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: ejectment answer nebraskadenying title real property lawsuitpossession admitted by denial of titlepartial defense ejectment answerresponding to ejectment complaint