32-17-09. Reply - What it may contain - Relief

32-17-09. Reply - What it may contain - Relief

No reply shall be necessary on the part of the plaintiff, except when the defendant in the

defendant's answer claims a lien or encumbrance upon the property which, prior to the

commencement of the action, was barred by the statutes of limitation, or which shall have been

discharged in bankruptcy, or which constitutes only a cloud, the plaintiff may reply setting up

such defense and availing plaintiff of the benefit thereof, and in all cases in which the plaintiff

has made permanent improvements on the property in good faith, while in possession under

color of title, the plaintiff may recover the reasonable value thereof as against the defendant

recovering the property when the reply shall allege the facts, stating particularly the value of the

improvements and the value of the property, and shall demand appropriate relief. The reply shall

be served on such defendant and filed with the clerk within twenty days after the service of the

defendant's answer.