Mailing Address Question

[Ragamuffin]

I am being contacted by an attorney who is pursuing a supposed claim against me.  My question centers around the fact that the address they have is actually a PO box.  I haven't changed this, since I don't really need my family opening the mail and asking a bunch of questions at this point (long story).  My question is what happens if it gets to the point they try to serve papers?  Should I give them my home address or stay hidden? 

 

What courts should I watch online to see if my name appears? 

[neweuquol]

That all depends on how your state allows service to be perfected.   Some states allow you to be served with an ad in the paper, some like Louisiana require service by the sheriff's office unless the court orders it can be done another way (usually through an attorney known as a curator or by "special process server.")   I continue to be amazed by the methods some states authorize because Louisiana allows so many protections against "sewer service."

[Clydesmom]

30 minutes ago, Ragamuffin said:

What courts should I watch online to see if my name appears? 

Small claims and state court.  However, often you get notice that you have been sued before you are served when you start receiving letters from bankruptcy lawyers offering to represent you in the case.  The lawyers comb the public records weekly for new cases and send out the solicitation letters hoping to snag a few clients.

31 minutes ago, Ragamuffin said:

My question is what happens if it gets to the point they try to serve papers?  Should I give them my home address or stay hidden?

There is a slim chance you could stay "off the grid" and not get served but in a state like TN where the Sheriff likely knows you they will find you.  In a large metropolis like NYC or Los Angeles it is entirely probable that they cannot find someone even with a street address.  Some states allow for service by mail and they can simply send it to the PO Box if TN does.  

If you can stay hidden and watch the case on the docket on line to ensure they don't use an alternative process service that allows you to be legally served and then get a default judgment then do so.  However, you want to make sure you don't lose track of what is happening because undoing the judgment will be nearly impossible.