Whether you live in Kentucky or are just visiting, it’s important to understand how the civil summons process works if you’re faced with one. The civil summons is the first step in starting any court case, and failing to respond to a summons can lead to serious consequences. This guide will help you understand what a civil summons is and how it works, as well as detail some of your legal rights when faced with one of these legal documents. Read on to learn more about what is a civil summons in ky and how they work!
What Is a Civil Summons?
This post will cover everything you need to know about civil summons and how they apply to your life. A civil summons is used by courts or other law enforcement agencies when enforcing the law of a state or locality. The most common use for them are as part of legal proceedings that are not criminally related, such as traffic tickets, foreclosure cases, family disputes like divorce or spousal support, landlord-tenant cases, county ordinance violations, and tax claims.
How Do I Get Served With a Civil Summons?
You can also be served with a civil summons by mail. This is called substituted service, and you have 14 days after the date of mailing to respond. In order for this method to work, the summons must be mailed out by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. The court will only accept this as a way of proving that you were properly served if the letter is postmarked on or before the day set for service (the day before your hearing).
If it’s not postmarked on or before that day, then you’ll need someone who was at least 18 years old and not a party in your case to swear under oath that they delivered the summons directly to you within that 14-day window.
What Happens If I Ignore a Civil Summons?
If you ignore a civil summons, the court can take more drastic measures to get your attention. The court may issue a garnishment (a notice telling your employer that it will deduct money from your paycheck) or a bench warrant, which means you could be arrested. To avoid these consequences and have the opportunity to speak with an attorney first, it’s best to pay attention to a civil summons.
Should I Hire an Attorney If I Receive a Civil Summons?
If you receive a civil summons, you may be wondering whether you should hire an attorney. The answer is it depends on what type of case this is and the particulars of your situation. Generally speaking, if you are being sued by someone else, then it would be wise to consult with a lawyer before making any decision about how to proceed. If you are suing someone or filing a complaint against them, then hiring a lawyer could help protect your rights.
Conclusion
A summons is a legal document that tells you that someone has filed a lawsuit against you, and it orders you to appear before the court on a certain date. A civil summons is a legal summons for civil cases, such as small claims or debt collection cases. If you receive a civil summons, it means that the other party has not filed criminal charges against you.
