Minn. R. Civ. P. 12.01 (2026)
When Presented
Defendant shall serve an answer within 21 days after service of the summons upon that defendant unless the court directs otherwise pursuant to Rule 4.043. A party served with a pleading stating a cross-claim against that party shall serve an answer thereto within 21 days after the service upon that party. The plaintiff shall serve a reply to a counterclaim in the answer within 21 days after service of the answer or, if a reply is ordered by the court, within 21 days after service of the order, unless the order otherwise directs. The service of a motion permitted under this rule alters these periods of time as follows unless a different time is fixed by order of the court: (1) If the court denies the motion or postpones its disposition until the trial on the merits, the responsive pleading shall be served within 14 days after service of notice of the court's action; (2) if the court grants a motion for a more definite statement, the responsive pleading shall be served within 14 days after the service of the more definite statement.
(Amended effective January 1, 2020.)
Advisory Committee Comment - 2018 Amendments
Rule 12.01 establishes the time to respond to a complaint. In 2017 the Minnesota Legislature adopted a statute that extends the time to respond to certain actions relating to architectural barriers to public access to buildings. See Laws of Minnesota 2017, chapter 80, sections 3 and 7, to be codified as Minnesota Statutes, section 363A.331, subdivisions 2 and 2a. The statute applies to actions brought on or after May 24, 2017.