legal help

I am being sued by a creditors attorney. I filed my answer with the court on the nineteenth day of the twenty day window, sent copies of the answer and my motions to the attorney on the same day, certified, return receipt requested. On the twentieth day of the answer period, the attorney filed a APPLICATION FOR ENTRY OF DEFAULT with the county clerk. Can they do this without any ramifications? I called the county clerk and verified the recording of my answer on the nineteenth day and she verified that the attorney had filed the default application on the twentieth, but was reluctant to give me any direction as to what I needed to do next. If noone can help me, can you refer me to a site or phone number where I might obtain free legal help?