Note: BCP Real Estate is not a law firm and its employees/owners are not acting as your attorneys. The information contained on this website is provided for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter.
When a lawsuit is filed, the people being sued have to be officially notified, and that’s where a “citation” and “service of process” come in. These are the tools the legal system uses to make sure a defendant actually knows a case has been brought against them.
A citation is the formal notice issued by the court informing you that you’ve been named as a defendant in a lawsuit. It typically tells you who is suing, that a case has been filed, and, importantly, that you have a limited time to respond. In a property tax suit, the citation is usually delivered along with the Original Petition, so you receive both the notice that you’ve been sued and the document explaining what the suit is about.
“Service of process” is the act of formally delivering those legal papers to you. It’s how the court ensures notice was properly given. Service is often carried out in person by a constable, sheriff’s deputy, or a private process server who hands you the documents directly. That in-person delivery is exactly why being served can feel so jarring, even though it’s a routine, required step in nearly every lawsuit, not a sign of anything criminal.
For heirs, understanding these terms takes some of the sting out of the moment. Being served means the court is making sure you know about a case so you have the chance to respond, which is actually a protection, not a threat. The most important thing the citation conveys is the deadline. Whatever you decide to do, respond through an attorney, address the taxes, or sell your share, knowing that a response window exists is what lets you act in time rather than being left out of the process.
A couple of quick questions:
Why was I served in person? Service of process often requires personally delivering the papers so the court can confirm you were notified. That’s why a constable, deputy, or process server may hand them to you directly. It’s standard procedure, not a criminal matter.
What’s the most important thing on the citation? The deadline to respond. The citation tells you a limited time window applies, which is why acting promptly, in whatever form you choose, matters so much.
If you’re looking to remove yourself from a lawsuit and get paid for your interest, no cost to you, call or text us at (469) 708-8003 for an offer today.
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