If you have already been sued, you need to answer/respond to the complaint or risk being declared in default. Even if it is small claims, is it (?), treat it as a regular court filing, and admit or deny any allegations in the pleading.
Small claims actions may or may not require an immediate answer/pleading outside of actual trial?? This info is available at the court, if it is small claims.
I can't pull up the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure online, so I will cite the federal rules as a guide, see: Defenses; Admissions and Denials.
http://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/Rule8.htm
Obviously you do not have an attorney?
Go to a public library where they have the Laws of MS, there will be a volume for the Rules of Civil Procedure. Look up the appropriate #. Many states mirror the federal #'s., so look for rule 8 to start with.
Say there are 15 paragraphs in the complaint, you need to list par 1, your response, par 2, your response, etc.
If a local library does not have them you will need to go to a law library, maybe of a college/university.
I have represented myself a few times, once in federal court, and have some knowledge of civil procedure, state and federal.
If you have NOT been sued yet, you can follow Betty's thoughts if you wish, sounds good!!
If you have been already sued, I am NOT an attorney, so do NOT take my thoughts as the legal way to submit an answer to a complaint. DO NOT assume I am right.
YOU or your attorney have to determine HOW to respond.
Edited: I see by your other thread Betty linked, you believe you have been sent a Summons, so you have been sued, am I correct.
It will say SUMMONS on it!!

