You Have Just Been Served With A Court Summons

court legal form for divorceThis is not a movie or television show when you see the process server address the character, hand over the document and then make a quick exit. This has actually occurred in real life and you cannot believe this is happening to you. Yes, you should definitely be thinking about acquiring great legal representation. First let’s assess what you have received so that you are prepared to do the right thing in moving forward appropriately.

Calling an attorney for legal advice and/or representation is critical and should be done in most instances.

Take a Deep Breath

Evaluating the situation correctly will help you effectively convey your needs to your attorney. The first thing to remember is that you have to respond to the court within a certain amount of time after you’ve been served. This time frame is contingent upon certain legal factors, the court that is involved, and the type of case that is involved. The fact that you have to work within a time frame does not mean that you should procrastinate. You should immediately read the document thoroughly from beginning to end. You may not understand all of the language that is used in the paperwork however you should read through everything because it will help you gain knowledge of what is transpiring. Doing research is a great idea in order to learn more about the process.

What You Should Know About The Summons Process

Service is done by mail or can be hand delivered. It is important to note the date on the document. It usually will tell you exactly when you have to respond to the court. Terms such as “you must respond within 30 days of receipt of this notice”, etc. will be outlined on the document.

You have received:

  • a Complaint (what the situation entails) and a Summons (directive to appear in court or what your next action must be).
  • a Petition (what the situation entails) and a Notice (directive to appear in court or what action is necessary to address the petition).
  • Discovery – is used to request evidence from the other party in a lawsuit. This may be served along with the above documents.
  • Subpoena – a directive to appear in court.

What particular document has been served depends upon what court has jurisdiction over the proceeding you are a party to.

Gather all of the information you have about the case. Knowing what to expect will help you clearly make decisions. Once you have a clear picture of what happened you will proceed in a sure-footed manner.