Introduction

When you file a lawsuit against someone, you must serve them with court papers. This is known as “service of process.” However, what happens if you can’t serve someone court papers? In this article, we will explore the consequences of not being able to serve someone with court papers.

Reasons Why You Can’t Serve Someone Court Papers

There are several reasons why you may not be able to serve someone with court papers:

• The person has moved and you don’t know their new address
• The person is avoiding service
• The person is incarcerated
• The person is deceased

Consequences of Not Being Able to Serve Someone Court Papers

If you are unable to serve someone with court papers, it can have serious consequences for your case:

• Your case may be dismissed: If you are unable to serve the defendant within a certain amount of time, your case may be dismissed.
• You may not be able to proceed with your case: If you are unable to serve the defendant, you may not be able to proceed with your case until they have been served.
• You may have to pay additional fees: If you are unable to serve the defendant, you may have to pay additional fees to have them served by a professional process server.

What to Do If You Can’t Serve Someone Court Papers

If you are unable to serve someone with court papers, there are several steps you can take:

• Try to locate the person: If you don’t know the person’s new address, try to locate them through social media or by contacting their friends or family members.
• Hire a professional process server: If the person is avoiding service, you may need to hire a professional process server to serve them.
• Ask the court for alternative service: If you have made reasonable efforts to serve the defendant but have been unsuccessful, you can ask the court for permission to serve them by alternative means, such as by mail or publication.

Conclusion

Serving someone with court papers is an important part of the legal process. If you are unable to serve someone with court papers, it can have serious consequences for your case. However, there are steps you can take to try to locate the person or to have them served by a professional process server. If all else fails, you can ask the court for permission to serve them by alternative means.