In any legal case where one party sues another, the defendant will be served with a summons. This official legal document informs the recipient they are being sued, by whom, and for what reasons. Your lawyer is responsible for drawing up the legal complaint or petition that is initially filed with the courts. This document begins the process of issuing the summons.

When Is a Summons Used?

Any legal action that pits the interests of one party against the interests of another requires a summons. In addition to traditional lawsuits, a summons is also served in divorce and legal separation cases where your involvement and attendance in court are mandatory. No legal action can be carried out without both parties being fully aware of their roles and responsibilities, and the summons provides these details.

What Happens After Being Served?

A summons is delivered by a process server, a legal professional who distributes the documents and keeps meticulous records of all serves and interactions with respondents. Process servers use a variety of methods to keep sufficient evidence of all the summonses and people they serve, including GPS tracking, real-time delivery notification, and secure websites where clients can access paperwork and delivery logs.

If you have been served, you need to answer it promptly. You must file a formal response within the time frame specified in your summons. In most situations, recipients have 30 days, providing a defendant ample time to respond through a lawyer or the court system. If you plan on handling the matter on your own, contact the courthouse and ask about their procedure for responding. Those utilizing a lawyer's services will receive guidance about the proper steps to take. 

When you need to take legal action or respond to a summons, trust The Law Office and Mediation Center of Jeannine M. Talbot. For more than two decades, Attorney Jeannine has been serving the Torrington, CT, area in all manner of family law cases. Call (860) 482-9004 or visit her firm on Facebook or Google+ to arrange a consultation with a family and divorce lawyer today.