What You Need to Know About Service of Process
Legal proceedings often come wrapped in complexity and misconceptions, particularly when it comes to the role of process servers. Process serving plays a critical role, in ensuring the smooth operation of our legal system. Process servers in Detroit adhere to stringent legal and ethical standards, guaranteeing that every document is delivered appropriately and holds legal validity. This article aims to explain the service of process, providing essential insights into what it is and how it works here in the Great Lakes State.
Understanding Service of Process
Service of process is a fundamental legal procedure that involves the delivery of legal documents – primarily those issued from the courts – to their intended recipients. These recipients can be defendants or witnesses and may be either individuals and business entities. Process service ensures that all parties involved in a legal dispute are adequately informed and possess the necessary time to prepare a defense, response, or gather any required evidence.
Documents Delivered by Process Servers
The range of documents that process servers are tasked with delivering is broad, including summons, complaints, writs, court orders, eviction notices, and family law orders, among others.
Criteria for Serving Process in Michigan
Michigan is yet another state with minimal regulation of process servers. In general, servers must be over 18 years old and cannot be involved in the case for which they are serving documents. However, it is always best to use a process server with an understanding of Michigan’s laws, especially those related to serving.
Timing for Serving Process
A summons in Michigan is valid for 90 days. On day 91, the summons expires and the case must be filed again (and fees must be paid again) in order to issue a new summons. Once a defendant receives a summons, they have between 21-28 days to respond, depending on the method used for service. Other documents may have different deadlines for delivery…always consult with the clerk of court or an attorney with questions about process deadlines.
After Service of Process
The next steps following the service of process depend on the nature of the documents served. In civil cases, for instance, defendants are required to submit a response, or an answer, within that 21-28 day window, detailing their side of the story and possibly initiating a countersuit. This phase sets the stage for further court proceedings, including mediation or trial.
Mediation often plays a crucial role in family law disputes, aiming for resolution outside of court. However, should mediation not yield an agreement, the case may progress to trial. In eviction scenarios, tenants face immediate action requirements to prevent proceeding with eviction, a process that process servers in Detroit also facilitate by delivering crucial notices.
Your Trusted Partner in Detroit: Accurate Serve
For those in need of dependable process serving in Detroit, Michigan, look no further than Accurate Serve. We’re known for our professionalism, knowledge, and discretion, we ensure your legal documents are managed with the utmost efficiency and accuracy. With Accurate Serve, clients benefit from continuous updates on their cases through our accessible online status tracker, available 24/7 from our website. Avoid the pitfalls of inexperienced servers unfamiliar with Michigan’s legal landscape; choose Accurate Serve for your process serving, document retrieval, skip tracing, and diligent search requirements. Reach out to us at 313-385-3703 or submit a work request online to start working with Detroit’s premier process service agency today!