In New York, an answer to a complaint must include denials of the allegations.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only if the defendant is in default
• D. Not required to include denials

Answer: (A)

In New York civil practice, the defendant must respond to every factual allegation in the complaint by admitting, denying, or stating lack of knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegation. This requirement ensures the record clearly shows which facts are admitted and which are contested, and it guides future discovery and trial on the issues. Because the rule obligates a response to each allegation, an answer must include denials for the allegations the defendant disputes (or an appropriate statement if the defendant cannot admit or deny). That’s why the statement is true: an answer to a complaint generally requires denials of the allegations that are not admitted, as part of the required responsive pleading. It’s also permissible to admit some allegations, or to state a lack of knowledge, but the key idea is that the pleadings must address each allegation rather than ignore them.