If I was improperly served a court summons, what can I do about it?
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If I was improperly served a court summons, what can I do about it?
A law firm served papers to my grandparents home (where I don’t live) including a summons to court. Is this proper in court? After this I received judgement against me for not responding and not appearing in court. I live in a different county then the one court took place in. Can I get the judgement vacated on any of these grounds, or how should I go about handling this? I am young and know close to nothing of the legal system.
Asked on July 27, 2011 New Mexico
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
You should consult with a general civil litigation attorney after you read this answer. It seems that you were sub-served with the summons and complaint at your grandparents house. There is a judgment entered against you probably for a sum of money.
You need to set aside the default and default judgment on the grounds that you were not personally served with the summons and complaint and that the sub-service was improper because you did not live at your grandparents' home where the summons and complaint were served upon you through them.
You need to start attempts to set aside the default and default judgment right away. The longer you wait, the harder it will be.
You could contact the county bar association to see if it has a program where attorneys volunteer time to help people like you.
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