What Happens After Being Served
How can we help?
A process server delivered court papers. The case has started and a response deadline now controls what happens next.
Common situations
- summons and complaint handed to you
- papers left with an adult at your home
- service at your workplace
- confusion about what the documents mean
- a response deadline listed on the summons
- concern about default judgment
- the claim seems exaggerated or incorrect
- uncertainty whether to contact the other lawyer
What happens next
The documents and deadline are reviewed immediately so a proper response can be filed before rights are lost.
How these disputes usually start
Service of papers is the formal start of a civil case.
Before service, the dispute was a disagreement. After service, it is a court proceeding governed by deadlines and procedure. The documents you received — usually a summons and complaint — tell the court what the other party claims occurred.
Being served does not mean a judge decided anything.
It means the other party invoked the court’s authority to resolve the dispute.
The urgency comes from timing, not from a ruling.
The real legal issue
The most important fact is procedural:
You now have a limited time to respond.
The response is not a phone call or an explanation. It is a written filing with the court. If no response is filed on time, the court may enter a default judgment.
A default judgment allows the other party to win without the court hearing your side of the story.
The case is therefore about preserving your ability to defend the claim.
What I review first
Initial review typically includes:
- the summons
- the complaint
- any attached exhibits
- contracts or communications related to the dispute
- stated deadlines in the papers
The first step is calculating the response deadline and determining what must be filed to preserve defenses.
What legal action can accomplish
A proper response can:
- prevent default judgment
- assert defenses
- challenge defective claims
- narrow the issues
- create the opportunity for settlement
The objective at this stage is not trial preparation.
It is protecting your legal position so the case can be evaluated.
How the case proceeds after a response
After a response is filed, the case typically moves slowly and predictably:
- Pleadings — complaint and answer filed
- Early communication between counsel — initial negotiation
- Discovery — exchange of documents and information
- Mediation or settlement discussions — many disputes end here
- Hearing or trial if necessary
Most civil cases resolve before trial once both sides understand the evidence and risk.
Default judgment and enforcement
If no response is filed, the plaintiff may request default judgment.
A default judgment can allow:
- wage garnishment
- bank account garnishment
- liens against property
The court may not contact you again before enforcement begins. Correcting a default judgment later is difficult and sometimes impossible.
Timing and avoidable mistakes
Common errors after service:
- ignoring the papers
- assuming the claim is too weak to proceed
- waiting to “see what happens”
- contacting the opposing party to argue the case
- sending written admissions
- discarding records
Civil litigation is deadline-driven. Acting quickly preserves options.
FAQ
Should I call the other lawyer myself?
Usually not. Informal statements often become evidence.
Do I have to appear in court immediately?
No. Most early work occurs through written filings.
Does responding mean I admit the allegations?
No. A response preserves defenses and contests the claims.
Next step
If you were served with court papers, the deadline now controls your options. A consultation determines the response required and what defenses may exist before rights are lost.
Call 720-588-3529 or request a consultation.