What is a summons?
A summons is the court notice that a case has been filed against someone.
Why it matters
It starts the clock for the defendant to respond.
Common confusion
The summons notifies; the complaint states the claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do when served?
Read it and respond by the deadline — do not ignore it.
Is a summons the same as being sued?
It is the formal notice that you have been sued.
What if I miss the deadline?
You may lose by default.