Hi, we have a tenant who was served a Nonpayment Petition while out of state. Clerks allowed an answer to be filed by a neighbor, but only "General Denial" was checked off.
The Tenant's job regularly takes him out of town. He wants to file an amended answer within the 20 day time frame, but his lawyers are sleeping on it.
Can his neighbor go to the clerk and file an amended answer for him? He has his defenses, including laches, checked off and everything ready. Today is the 19th day...? He isn't here to serve in person
Does a motion have to be filed to amend an answer or can someone just go to the housing court clerk with what he wants to file, since it is within the 20 day period and sort of an emergency?