HOW TO SERVE LEGAL PAPERS IN INDIANA

This article will provide guidance on How To Serve legal papers in Indiana. If a person is served with a summons or enters an appearance under these rules, or if they are subjected to the jurisdiction of the court under any other legislation, the court has jurisdiction over them. Click Here for Frequently Asked Questions About Process Servers!

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The person requesting Indiana Process Service or their counsel must quickly prepare and deliver to the clerk as many copies of the complaint and summons as required at the time of the filing of the complaint or comparable pleading. After the clerk has examined, signed, and sealed the summons, they will next issue and deliver it to whoever is needed for Indiana Process Service.  The clerk may thus issue a separate or supplemental summons at any time upon the appropriate request of the person requesting service or his counsel. Click Here for information on What Do Process Servers in Indiana Do?

BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR A SUMMONS in Indiana

There are four sections to include in a court summons: [A.] the name and address of whoever will be served, and if there are multiple parties, a brief description of their names and a reference to their respective cause numbers; [B.]  name of the court and the cause number assigned; [C.] title of a case as shown in the complaint; [D.]  name, address, and phone number of the attorney; [E.] name, address and phone number of the person who will be serving the summons; [F.] date and time of service; and [G.] name of the person who will be served. Additionally, the summons may include any other information that may aid in the correct delivery of the summons. Click here for information on Indiana Rules of Civil Procedure.

On the summons, the individual requesting Indiana Process Service or their counsel may specify how the summons should be served. If the summons does not specify how the summons should be served, the clerk should attempt to serve the summons by mail or other public methods, as long as the summons’ postal address is known or can be found. Click here for information on How To Identify A Good Process Service Agency

In certain cases, both summons and complaints must be served at the same time. The summons and complaint must be served at the same time. The complaint will not be publicized if the service of a summons is made via publishing. Summons and complaints shall be considered served at the end of the day of the last mandatory publication in the event of service by publication and at the time of the appearance in jurisdiction gained by appearance. Click here for information on How Rush Process Service Can Expedite Your Case.

There is a very important duty to information associated with a summons.  A copy of the summons and complaint must be sent or mailed to the official in charge of the institution in order to serve it on a person who is imprisoned or restrained there. If a summons and complaint are served on a person, the officer responsible for delivering them must enable that person to get legal assistance promptly. Upon the official’s return, they must note whether the summons was received and if the individual had a chance to obtain counsel. Click here for information on How Service of Process Ensures A Solid Foundation.

In civil cases brought in Indiana, Indiana Process Service must be served on the parties. Residents who have left the state or who have no fixed address in this state agree to submit to the courts of this state for any legal action emanating from one or more of the following actions done by them or their agents. The court may order that the lawsuit be conducted in another forum under such fair circumstances. Click here for information on How Process Servers Protect Your Rights: Myths Debunked

WHAT IS A FORUM NON-CONVENIENS in Indiana

All defendants must agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts in the other forum and to waive any defense based on the statute of limitations applicable in that other forum in order for a stay or dismissal to be granted because of a finding that this forum is inconvenient to all parties involved in the case.

The court may, on request and notice to the parties, amend an order granting a stay or dismissal and take such additional action in the matter as the interests of justice may demand. The court may revoke an order delaying or dismissing the action if a stipulation demanded by the moving party is violated. 

Upon the executive officer of a domestic or foreign organization, Indiana Process Service must be done upon a representative. Indiana Process Service also depends majorly on the general partner of any partnership.

For a state government organization, the executive officer and attorney general are responsible for providing Indiana Process Service. However, for a local government organization, if legislation authorizes an attorney for the local government organization, it also applies to the attorney who currently holds that post.

The Attorney General is to be served with all pleadings and summonses. If the summons and complaint or any pleading under these rules or any statute is served on the Attorney General, a deputy, or clerk at their office, by mail, or other public forums.

HOW TO SERVE A SUBPOENA in Indiana

It is permissible to serve the Secretary of State as an agent for the person being served. In order to have the summons served, the person seeking service, or his attorney, must [A.] submit a written request to the agent named in the praecipe for summons, stating that the organization or officer is acting as an agent for the person being served; [B.]  provide the address of the person being served as filed and recorded under a statute or valid agreement, or if no such address is known, their last known mailing address; and [C.] provide such other information as may be required by law.

When the summons and complaint are received, the Agent must immediately mail a copy of the summons and complaint to the person served. After the same, they must deliver an affidavit to the clerk stating the date of the mailing.

If Indiana Process Service is permitted by registered or certified mail, the clerk of the court or a governmental agent is required to send the summons and complaint to the person being served at the address provided on the summons. When the clerk or government official returns this Indiana Process Service, they must include the date and location of sending as well as a copy of the return receipt. An expeditious filing of all relevant paperwork will ensure that all relevant paperwork will be preserved. If a summons and complaint regarding service are returned to the court clerk, the clerk will reissue them as requested by the person. 

how to file a RETURN OF PROCESS SERVICE in Indiana

The clerk will receive a copy of the summons from the person who served the summons if the person who quickly returns the summons to the clerk. For the return to be valid, it must be signed by the person who made it and includes a statement: [A.] that service was made as required; [B.]  if service was not made, the specific manner in which it was thwarted in terms of a factor in terms of law; and [C.] such other information as is expressly required. 

Returns and summons, as well as affidavits attached to or included in the summons or praecipe for summons, and all other affidavits permitted by these rules shall be filed by the clerk with the pleadings and other papers in the case and thereupon becomes part of the record, with the same evidentiary effect as is now provided by law, and shall be admissible in court. The clerk’s signature or his deputy’s signature and the clerk’s seal may be used to certify copies of such a document in any action or process.

how to file documents in Indiana

Every petition, pleading, return, summons, affidavit, or other material filed with or taken into the record by the clerk must have a filing date. A clerk must also provide an issuance date on any summonses, letters, or other communications they serve or transmit. There should be no additional authentication required when the document is properly presented and brought into evidence in court or any other legal proceeding.

PROOF OF SERVICE in Indiana

The individual served may provide a signed written admission attesting to the date and location of Indiana Process Service to the clerk, who will include it with the pleadings. The admission will be a part of the record, serve as proof of proper service, and be admissible in any action or process.

It is up to the court to decide whether or not to accept the amendment of any Indiana Process Service or evidence of service unless it is obvious that the person being served will suffer serious harm.

 As long as a party has an attorney on record, Indiana Process Service must be conducted on the attorney unless the court directs otherwise. A copy of the documents must be delivered or sent to the attorney or party at their last known address before service may be completed.

If the documents are served by mail, they must be placed in the United States Postal Service, addressed to the recipient, with postage prepaid, in order to be delivered. Upon sending, the service has been completed. In order to prove the Indiana Process Service of any documents that may be sent, the recipient must sign a written acknowledgment of service, provide an affidavit, or get a certificate from an attorney. Attorneys must indicate their office’s address and phone number on the chronological case summary or the pleadings or documents they submit when they enter their presence in a case or file them therein. Delivery or mailing to this address is adequate and comprehensive service.

When a large number of defendants are involved in a lawsuit, the court may order that service of the pleadings of the defendants and replies thereto need not be made between the defendants. Otherwise, they may also mandate that any cross-claim, counterclaim, or matter constituting an avoidance or affirmative defense contained in is to be deemed to be denied or avoided by all other parties. Additionally, the filing of any such pleading and service will be deemed to be a denial or an affirmative defense by all other parties. It is the duty of the parties to be served with a copy of every order issued by the court.

SUBPOENA FOR THE ATTENDANCE OF WITNESSES in Indiana

When a person is summoned, they must be given a subpoena stating the name and location of the court, as well as the name and location of the action (without specifying more than the first-named plaintiffs and defendants in the complaint and the case number).

Upon request, the clerk will issue a signed and sealed subpoena, or a subpoena for the production of documentary evidence, to the party or attorney making the request, who must fill it out before it is served. 

The court can  either [A.] quash or modify the subpoena if it is unreasonable and oppressive or [B.] condition denial of the motion on the person’s advancement on behalf of whom the subpoena is issued upon a motion made promptly

The sheriff or their deputy, a party, or any other person may serve a subpoena. When a subpoena is served on someone, a copy of the summons must be delivered to that individual. 

If a notice to take a deposition is served, the clerk of court for the county in which the deposition is to be taken may issue subpoenas for the people mentioned or described in the notice.

If a person is ordered by the court to attend an examination, he or she must do so in the county where the individual lives, works, or does business. Only in the state and county where he was served with a subpoena may a nonresident be ordered to appear, or within 40 miles of the service location, or at such other convenient location as the court orders. A non-resident plaintiff may have to pay his way to an examination in the county in which the action is filed or in a county that the court specifies as the proper location.

SUBPOENA FOR A HEARING OR A TRIAL in Indiana

When a party requests a subpoena for attendance at a hearing or trial, the clerk of the court in which the action is ongoing or in the county where the deposition is being taken should issue the subpoena. An order to provide evidence may be served at any location in the state. On appropriate application and with sufficient evidence, a subpoena may be served beyond the jurisdiction of this or any other state or foreign nation if so authorized by law.

Any individual who refuses to comply with a subpoena issued by a court or court in the county where the witness is required to appear or perform may be held in contempt of court. Attachment is an option for enforcing the presence of all witnesses whose fees have been paid or offered in accordance with the law.

Service of a subpoena on a person mentioned should be done by providing a copy of the subpoena, as well as the costs for one  (1) day’s attendance and the mileage authorized by law to such person. 

The return of a subpoena served by a sheriff or deputy is evidence of service. Affidavits are required when service is performed by someone other than the petitioner. Except when the sheriff or a deputy serves the subpoena, no fees or charges for service will be collected or levied.

how to domesticate an OUT-OF-STATE SUBPOENA in indiana

Issuing an out-of-state subpoena pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Deposition and Discovery Act (UIDDA)-Indiana, the clerk of the court in the county where discovery is to be performed in this state must be presented with a foreign subpoena before it may be requested that a subpoena be issued under this section. Subpoenas issued under this law do not obligate a person to appear in court in Indiana.

Second, the clerk of a court in this state must swiftly issue a summons to the person to whom the international subpoena is sent, in line with that court’s process.

A subpoena issued for a foreign defendant must include: [A.]   the terminology appropriate for the subpoena from abroad; and [B.]  part of the subpoena, it must include or be accompanied with the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all counsel of record and of any party that is not represented by counsel.

OUR PROCESS

Documents can be faxed at (800) 296-0115, emailed ps@undisputedlegal.com, mailed, or dropped off at any of our locations. We do require pre-payment and accept all major credit and debit cards. Once payment is processed, your sales receipt is immediately emailed for your records.

Drop-offs must call and make an appointment first to be added to building security to permit access to our office. Documents for service must be in a sealed envelope with payment in the form of a money order or attorney check (WE DO NOT ACCEPT CASH) payable to UNDISPUTED LEGAL INC.; All documents are received by our receptionist.

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Alaska | Alabama | Arkansas | Arizona | California | Colorado | Connecticut | District of Columbia | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Iowa | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maryland | Massachusetts | Maine | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | North Carolina | North Dakota| Nebraska | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | Nevada | New York | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon| Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Virginia | Vermont | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming

INTERNATIONAL COVERAGE AREAS:

Albania | Andorra | Anguilla | Antigua | Argentina | Armenia | Australia | Austria | Azerbaijan | Bahamas | Barbados | Belarus | Belgium | Belize | Bermuda | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Botswana | Brazil | British Honduras| British Virgin Islands | Bulgaria | Canada | Cayman Islands | Central and Southern Line Islands | Chile|China (Macao) | China People’s Republic | Colombia | Costa Rica | Country of Georgia | Croatia | Cyprus| Czech Republic| Denmark | Dominican Republic | Ecuador | Egypt | Estonia | Falkland Islands and Dependences | Fiji | Finland | France | Germany | Gibraltar | Gilbert and Ellice Islands | Greece | Guernsey | Hong Kong | Hungary | Iceland | India | Ireland | Isle of Man | Israel | Italy | Jamaica | Japan | Jersey Channel Islands | Jordan | Kazakhstan | Korea| Kuwait | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Malawi | Malaysia | Malta | Mauritius | Mexico| MonacoMontenegro| Montserrat | Morocco | Namibia | Netherlands | New Zealand|Nicaragua | Norway | Pakistan | Panama | Paraguay | Peru | Philippines | Pitcairn |Poland | Portugal | Republic of Moldova | Republic of North Macedonia | Romania |Russian Federation | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | San Marino | Saudi Arabia | Serbia| Seychelles | Singapore| Slovakia | Slovenia | South Africa | Spain | Sri Lanka | St. Helena and Dependencies | St. Lucia | Sweden| Switzerland | Taiwan | Thailand | Tunisia | Turkey | Turks and Caicos Islands| UkraineUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | Uruguay | US Virgin Islands | Uzbekistan | Venezuela | Vietnam

OFFICE LOCATIONS

New York: (212) 203-8001 – 590 Madison Avenue, 21st Floor, New York, New York 10022
Brooklyn: (347) 983-5436 – 300 Cadman Plaza West, 12th Floor, Brooklyn, New York 11201
Queens: (646) 357-3005 – 118-35 Queens Blvd, Suite 400, Forest Hills, New York 11375
Long Island: (516) 208-4577 – 626 RXR Plaza, 6th Floor, Uniondale, New York 11556
Westchester: (914) 414-0877 – 50 Main Street, 10th Floor, White Plains, New York 10606
Connecticut: (203) 489-2940 – 500 West Putnam Avenue, Suite 400, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830
New Jersey: (201) 630-0114 – 101 Hudson Street, 21 Floor, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302
Washington DC: (202) 655-4450 – 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Suite 300, Washington DC 20004

FOR ASSISTANCE SERVING LEGAL PAPERS IN INDIANA

Pick up the phone and call Toll Free (800) 774-6922, or click the service you want to purchase. Our dedicated team of professionals is ready to assist you. We can handle all your process service needs; no job is too small or too large!  For a complete list of our Indiana Process Service Coverage Area, Click Here!

Contact us for more information about our process-serving agency. We are ready to provide service of process to all our clients globally from our offices in New York, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, Westchester, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Washington, D.C.

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Sources

1. Unless otherwise instructed, the complaint and summons must be immediately handed to the sheriff or his deputy if a mailing address is not provided or cannot be found, or service by mail or other public methods is returned without acceptance.

2. The court has the discretion to take into account such factors as: (1) the parties’ amenability to personal jurisdiction in this state and any alternative forum; (2) the convenience to the parties and witnesses of the trial in this state in any alternative forum; (3) the differences in a conflict of law rule applicable in this state and the alternative forum; or (4) any other factors that have a substantial bearing on selecting a convenient venue.

3. Or if a representative is designated or presumed to be designated by law to accept service.

4. If there was no mailing, the reason,  it is necessary to send the clerk a copy along with a copy of the return receipt and file and revoke the summons and complaint.

5. If the summons has a return address.

6. The date of filing or issue shall be conclusively established.

7. Additionally, an attorney who has been admitted to practice law in this state as an officer of the court may also issue and sign such subpoenas on behalf of the courts (a) in which the attorney has appeared for a party; or (b) a court in which the deposition or production is required if it pertains to an action pending in a court where the attorney has appeared for the party in that case.

8. In any event, at or before the time specified in the said subpoena for compliance.

9. Any books, papers, documents, or physical items that form or include contents within the scope of Rule 26 may be subpoenaed by the person to whom it is addressed

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