Q: Does a husband have to accept from a process server a summons that names only the wife on it? Or has to give to her?
A process server came to our door trying to serve a summons to my wife and her name is the only one on it not mine. It’s not my credit account either. Do I by WA State law have to accept her summons if I’m approached by the server?
A: No. You do not have to accept the summons.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
In Washington State, you are not legally required to accept a summons on behalf of your spouse if your name is not on the document. If the process server is attempting to serve papers to your wife, the responsibility to deliver them lies with the server, not with you. You do not have to accept or hand over any legal papers unless your name is specifically mentioned.
Process servers typically aim to deliver documents directly to the individual named. If your wife is unavailable, the server may attempt to serve her at another time or use alternate methods allowed by law.
You have the right to decline accepting the summons, and it would then be up to the process server to complete service in another way.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
