Q: Court is trying summons for paternity. Live in Caribbean. No address here. Kid in US. Send money monthly. Not going back

A: I recommend calling the process server and giving him your current whereabouts. If you don’t have a physical address, you should provide sufficient information as to where exactly you can be found in order to be served.

Why? Because if they don’t know where you are, you are going to be served by substitute service of process or maybe even publication. In that event, you may not receive actual notice, a judgment may be entered against you without your input or knowledge, and then months or even years from now your life might be adversely impacted by that judgment.

If they know exactly where you are because you call the process server and provide accurate information, they have to make a reasonable effort to serve you there. Many family law practitioners are not as knowledgeable about international service of process as other attorney who deal with that issue all the time.

This gives you bargaining power, for example to get credit for all the money you have been voluntarily sending each month toward any retroactive child support obligation that may be imposed upon you.

The political dynamic between the US and Caribbean nations is constantly changing. Years ago, when I began practicing law, it was extremely difficult to get financial information out of Caribbean banks and businesses. That is no longer the case. Don’t assume privacy protections will be the same 5 or 10 years from now. And don’t risk your future financial stability by ignoring the paternity suit now.