People who try to evade the procedure typically believe that legal action against them must begin with personal service. There is no truth in this at all. Even in situations where personal service is not performed, there is typically a means to move forward with the tasks. Before using substituted service, the majority of jurisdictions demand that many attempts be made to serve the defendant in person. Before papers may be mailed to the alternative service address or left with a suitable adult at the defendant’s home or place of employment, they must be suitably recorded, including the dates, times, and places for service. 

In certain states, court records may also be sent and displayed at the defendant’s home, place of business, or even on their car’s windshield. It’s typical to refer to this kind of service as “nail and mail.” Certain states require that marital actions be started by “personal service only,” however where it is clear that the defendant is aware of the action, the court will coerce the parties into acknowledging appropriate service or risk charging them for further attempts.

There is no legal prohibition against lying to a process server while you are receiving legal paperwork. There could be repercussions, though, if the court discovers that you lied. The court has the authority to declare you in contempt of court and to apply penalties. Penalties and/or jail time may be part of these sanctions. It is advisable to consult with an attorney if you are unclear about what to do after receiving legal paperwork.