What constitutes proper personal service on a natural person?

What constitutes proper personal service on a natural person?

• A. Direct delivery of the summons and complaint to the defendant in hand only
• B. Direct delivery to the defendant in hand or to an adult at the defendant's residence or workplace who accepts service
• C. Service by mail
• D. Posting the summons at the defendant's residence

Answer: (B)

Personal service means actually delivering the summons and complaint to the person or to someone authorized to receive it for them. The best option covers both ways: handing it to the defendant in person, or delivering it to an adult at the defendant’s home or workplace who agrees to accept service for them. This ensures the defendant receives actual notice. Service by mail or simply posting the summons does not meet personal service requirements because those methods don’t involve handing the papers directly to the defendant or to an authorized recipient.

Personal service means actually delivering the summons and complaint to the person or to someone authorized to receive it for them. The best option covers both ways: handing it to the defendant in person, or delivering it to an adult at the defendant’s home or workplace who agrees to accept service for them. This ensures the defendant receives actual notice. Service by mail or simply posting the summons does not meet personal service requirements because those methods don’t involve handing the papers directly to the defendant or to an authorized recipient.