Topic 05
Service and defaults, the two things you must not miss
Service is how court papers reach the other side, and a default is what can happen when someone does not respond in time. Both are about dates and proof.
- 3short guides, each in plain English
- Clearwhat service means
- 1deadline that matters most: the answer
- 0sales pitches. Free, checked and dated
3 short guides, in order
Read them in order, or jump straight to the one you need today.
- Guide 1 of 3What service of court papers meansService is the formal delivery of court papers. Here is why the method matters.
- Guide 2 of 3Checking a proof of serviceWhat a proof of service should show, and what to look for when you receive one.
- Guide 3 of 3What a default is and how to respondA default can happen when a party does not respond on time. Here is what that means and what to do.
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Last checked: October 26, 2026.
Educational information only. Not legal advice, not a law firm, and no attorney-client relationship. Nothing here tells you what to do in your own case.