summons-service-packet

# Summons and Service Packet

Drafts a complete initial filing package to commence a personal injury civil action and effectuate valid service on all defendants.

## Prerequisites

Gather before drafting:

- **Complaint/allegations** — factual basis, parties, claims, damages
- **Party identification** — full legal names, addresses, entity types, citizenship/domicile
- **Jurisdictional facts** — basis (federal question, diversity, state), amount in controversy, venue
- **Target court** — local rules reviewed for filing requirements and mandatory forms

## Packet Components

Draft all components in filing order with identical captions across every document.

### 1. Civil Cover Sheet

Include: case caption (exact party names), nature of suit code, jurisdictional basis (28 U.S.C. § 1331/1332 or state), special designations (class action/mass tort if applicable), filing fee amount, attorney info (name, bar number, firm, contact), and e-filing instructions.

### 2. Summons (one per defendant)

Each summons must contain: court name/address, space for case number, party names matching complaint, command to appear, response deadline, default judgment warning (verbatim statutory text if prescribed), and clerk signature/seal line.

**Response deadlines**: Federal = 21 days (FRCP 12(a)(1)(A)(i)); state = typically 30 days [VERIFY]; government = often 60 days (FRCP 12(a)(2)-(3)).

Use court-prescribed summons form if jurisdiction mandates a specific template.

### 3. Complaint Shell

Structure in this order:

1. **Caption** — identical to summons
2. **Jurisdictional Allegations** — subject matter jurisdiction (statutory cite), personal jurisdiction, venue (28 U.S.C. § 1391 or state equivalent); for diversity: each party's citizenship, amount > $75,000
3. **Parties** — each in separate numbered paragraph with entity type, incorporation state/PPB, or domicile
4. **Factual Allegations** — chronological numbered paragraphs; meet Twombly/Iqbal plausibility standard (federal); FRCP 9(b) particularity for fraud counts
5. **Counts** — separate heading per cause of action; incorporate prior paragraphs by reference; cite statutory/common law basis; match elements to facts
6. **Prayer for Relief** — compensatory damages (specific or "exceeds $75,000"), punitive damages if permitted, pre/post-judgment interest, costs and fees (cite basis), equitable relief
7. **Jury Demand** — include unless waiver is intended
8. **Signature Block** — attorney name, bar number, firm, address, phone, email

Attach exhibits labeled sequentially with cover sheets.

### 4. Service Instructions

**Who may serve**: Non-party adult age 18+ (FRCP 4(c)(2)) — process server, sheriff/marshal, or authorized adult. Never plaintiff or plaintiff's counsel.

**Methods by defendant type**:

| Defendant Type | Primary | Alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | Personal delivery | Substituted service at dwelling + mail; agent |
| Corporation | Registered agent (check SOS) | Officer, managing/general agent |
| Out-of-state | Long-arm statute + minimum contacts | Certified mail; SOS as statutory agent; Hague Convention (foreign) |
| Government | Designated official per statute | Strict compliance required; verify admin claim prerequisites |

**Evasion/cannot locate**: Document diligent search in affidavit, move for alternative service (publication, posting, court-authorized email), obtain court order first.

### 5. Proof of Service Affidavit

Required fields: person served (identity, address, physical description), date/time/location, method (personal/substituted/agent/mail), documents served, relationship of recipient to defendant (if substituted), narrative of encounter, server info (name, address, license number), signed under penalty of perjury.

File per local rule deadline; must file before seeking default.

### 6. Supplementary Documents

Include if required: FRCP 7.1 corporate disclosure (federal diversity), fee waiver/IFP application, ADR notice, case management statement, attorney appearance form, CAFA notice (AIC > $5M).

## Filing Checklist

- [ ] Civil cover sheet (copies per local rule)
- [ ] Complaint + exhibits (original + 1 per defendant + attorney copy)
- [ ] Summons per defendant (original + 1 per defendant)
- [ ] Corporate disclosure (FRCP 7.1) if applicable
- [ ] Filing fee or fee waiver (verified amount)
- [ ] Supplementary notices as required
- [ ] E-filing: PDFs OCR-enabled, within size limits

## Critical Rules

- **Caption consistency** — identical party names, spelling, and order across all documents; mismatches cause rejections
- **Service window** — federal: serve within 90 days of filing (FRCP 4(m)) or face dismissal without prejudice
- **Local forms** — many courts mandate specific summons templates; verify before drafting
- **Page formatting** — check local rules for numbering, binding restrictions, pagination
- **Preserve originals** — keep original proof of service in attorney file; file copy with court
- **[VERIFY] tag** — mark all statutory citations with [VERIFY] when jurisdiction-specific rule numbers are uncertain