A defendant must file a written answer within 20 days of service and mail it to the plaintiff. The defendant must pay a fee to the court to file an answer, although the defendant may request a waiver or deferral of this fee as provided by A.R.S. § 12-302 and the Arizona Code of Judicial Administration § 5-206. If a defendant fails to file an answer or otherwise respond within 20 days of service, the plaintiff must initiate default proceedings as described in Rule 140 of the Justice Court Rules of Civil Procedure.