If you want to try to work out payments with your ex-landlord, you are free to contact your ex-landlord (or if he's represented, his lawyer) and propose a payment plan. Should your landlord agree, I expect that he will want to protect himself with a judgment or, if available, a confession of judgment in case you don't make the agreed payments. You can also work out a post-judgment payment plan if your landlord agrees, or explore the possibility of periodic garnishment of your wages through the court.

If you are able to effectively represent yourself in court, you don't need a lawyer; if not, you need a lawyer. I don't know you and cannot assess that for you - although when sued, pretty much everybody benefits from having legal representation.

We can't see the complaint, so we can't comment on what you might include or exclude from your answer.

Depending on your total debt load, you may want to consult an immigration lawyer.