Smith v. Lippmann

holding that a timely filed pro se letter from the defendant identifying parties, case, and defendant's current address was a sufficient answer to defeat default judgment | holding that a pro se letter identifying the parties, the case, and the defendant’s current address, is sufficient to constitute an appearance | holding that a timely filed pro se letter from the defendant identifying parties, case, and defendant’s current address was a sufficient answer to defeat default judgment | concluding that letter amounted to a timely filed answer because it was signed by defendant, identified parties and case, included defendant’s address, and acknowledged receipt of the citation and petition | concluding signed pro se answer identifying parties, case, and current address was sufficient to prevent default judgment | concluding defendant who timely files answer “deserves notice of any subsequent proceedings in the case” | holding timely-filed pro se letter from defendant identifying parties, case, and defendant's current address was sufficient answer to defeat default judgment | holding pro se letter constituted answer even though it did not identify case number or all defendants because letter substantially complied with pro se answer standard | stating that pro se defendant’s letter was not in the standard form of an answer but “nevertheless gave the court a timely response acknowledging receipt and acceptance of [plaintiff’s] citation and petition” | concluding pro se respondent’s fax requesting an extension of time, which contained her signature, phone number, cause number, trial court, and identified her status as a party-respondent in the case, constituted an answer sufficient to defeat a no-answer default judgment | holding letter to court constituted an answer | holding letter to court constituted an answer | letter that was signed by defendant, identified parties and case, included defendant’s current address, and acknowledged receipt and acceptance of citation and petition constituted timely filed appearance | a timely filed pro se letter from defendant identifying the parties, the case, and defendant's current address was a sufficient answer to defeat default judgment | a timely filed pro se letter from defendant identifying the parties, the case, and defendant’s current address was a sufficient answer to defeat default judgment | “Since Mr. Smith timely filed a written answer, he was entitled to . . . notice of the default judgment hearing [required by Rule 245].” | letter signed by pro se defendant acknowledged receipt and acceptance of petition and citation | letter that was signed by defendant, identified parties and case, included defendant's current address, and acknowledged receipt and acceptance of citation and petition constituted timely filed appearance | letter that was signed by defendant, identified parties and case, included defendant’s current address, and acknowledged receipt and acceptance of citation and petition constituted timely filed appearance