Service of Process is a term used in the United States to indicate a legal procedure requiring that each party in a case be notified if actions are taken against them in a court of law. This is considered due process and its extremely important in our legal system.

When an individual is sued he/she is referred to as a “Defendant”. Defendants are notified of actions against them or court procedures involving them through the delivery of legal documents such as summons, complaints, subpoenas, orders, motions and writs.

In Florida when a defendant is served with legal documents in State Court he/she has 20 days to respond to the Complaint. In Federal Court filings the defendant has 21 days. If no response is filed on behalf of the defendant a judgment against the defendant may be entered.