A summons is an official court document, signed by the clerk, giving legal notice of a lawsuit to the party being sued. Upon 'being served' with the summons (receiving the summons), the party is legally obligated to respond to the petition or complaint filed by the suing party, or face the prospect of a default judgment being rendered against them for the relief sought. This form, a Summons: Personal Service on an Individual - Official is a summons for a civil action of the kind stated, or a general use summons. Available for download now in standard format(s). USLF control no. FL-12910-A
Fort Lauderdale Florida Summons — Personal Service on an Individual is a legal process used to notify individuals of a lawsuit filed against them. When someone initiates a legal action, they must formally inform the opposing party through a summons. This document serves as an official notice that the defendant is being sued and must appear in court to defend themselves. Keywords: Fort Lauderdale Florida, summons, personal service, individual, lawsuit, legal action, court, defend, notice. There are several types of Fort Lauderdale Florida Summons — Personal Service on an Individual: 1. Civil Summons: This type of summons is used in civil cases where one party is suing another for various reasons such as contract disputes, personal injury claims, or property disputes. The civil summons informs the defendant of the specific claims against them and advises them to appear in court on a particular date. 2. Family Law Summons: In cases involving family matters like divorce, child custody, or child support, a family law summons is issued. This legal document notifies the respondent (the party being sued) of the pending legal action and any court hearings related to the case. It is crucial for the respondent to respond to the summons within a specified timeframe to ensure their rights are protected. 3. Small Claims Summons: When a person wants to pursue a minor financial dispute, they may file a small claims lawsuit. In such cases, a small claims summons is served to the defendant, informing them of the claim against them and the date they must appear in court. Small claims court is designed to provide a quick, low-cost resolution to disputes involving smaller amounts of money. 4. Criminal Summons: In criminal cases, a criminal summons may be issued to an individual instead of a warrant for their arrest. This is typically for non-violent offenses where the defendant does not pose a flight risk or danger to the community. The criminal summons notifies the accused of the charges against them and requires their appearance in court on a particular date. In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, personal service on an individual is the most common method of delivering summons. A professional process server or law enforcement officer hand-delivers the summons to the defendant personally to ensure they receive it. Personal service ensures that the defendant is aware of the legal proceedings and the actions required of them.
