Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Michigan

Defendant being served

What is the process for having the defendant served for a small claims or general civil lawsuit? If certified mail and personal service fail and the defendant can not be found or it becomes unknown as to where they are residing, what happens?


Asked on 11/05/08, 2:53 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Audra Arndt Audra A. Arndt & Associates, PLLC

Re: Defendant being served

You must request that the Court allow you to serve the defendant by "alternate service," such as by posting it on his house, mailing to last known address, publishing notice of the lawsuit in the local newspaper, etc. What the Judge requires you to do depends on the Judge. Then once you have followed what the Judge requires you to do, the defendant is considered served and the lawsuit can proceed, whether or not he actually answers or not.

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Answered on 11/08/08, 10:46 pm


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