Effective Legal Notification: Serving Out-of-State Defendants Explained
Hello, I’m OKC misdemeanor attorney Dillan Savage of Wirth Law Office, and I practice primarily in the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma area.
Today, we’re talking about how to properly notify someone outside the state of Oklahoma that they’re being sued inside the state. This process is crucial for ensuring that the legal proceedings can move forward without unnecessary delays.
Methods for Legal Notification
There are two general ways to properly notify an out-of-state individual:
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- Serve them according to the laws of the state where they live, or
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- Follow Oklahoma’s own rules for service, outlined in Title 12, Section 2004.
That section explains everything from how to create a valid summons to the different acceptable methods of serving someone with legal papers. Since the process can be technical, it’s a smart move to hire an attorney to make sure the service is done correctly, especially when you’re dealing with someone outside Oklahoma.
Special Circumstances in Service of Process
There is one exception: if the out-of-state individual agrees that Oklahoma courts have jurisdiction over them. If they sign a written acknowledgment of that, you can file it with the court, and you’re good to proceed without formal service. This can simplify the process significantly and help avoid potential disputes over jurisdiction later on.
If you found this video to be helpful, or you believe it could help someone else, please go to TheOklahomaCityAttorney.com. I’m Oklahoma City criminal attorney Dillan Savage at Wirth Law Office, and thank you for watching.
Get Expert Legal Assistance Today!
If you have questions about notifying someone outside of Oklahoma regarding litigation, consider scheduling a consultation. For a low-cost consultation, call us at 405-888-5400 today!