Glossary
Service of process
The legal procedure by which a defendant is officially notified of a lawsuit. Until the defendant has been properly served, the court usually has no power to enter a judgment against them.
Service has to follow specific rules: handing the documents to the right person, at the right address, in the right way. Different states allow different methods: personal service (in person), substituted service (leaving with a competent adult at the residence), service by mail, or in some cases publication in a newspaper.
Improper service is one of the most common reasons judgments get set aside. If you're a plaintiff, get service right the first time: many cases die because a process server cut a corner.