Evasion of process service involves actions taken to prevent the legal notification of a pending lawsuit or other legal action. This commonly includes measures to make oneself difficult to locate or contact, thereby obstructing the delivery of court documents. For example, an individual may avoid opening the door to unknown individuals, utilize a post office box instead of a home address, or maintain a transient lifestyle.
The motivation behind obstructing service often stems from a desire to delay or avoid legal proceedings due to financial constraints, perceived lack of merit in the claim, or simply the stress associated with litigation. Historically, attempts to evade service have been viewed with varying degrees of tolerance, ranging from a tactical maneuver to a deliberate attempt to circumvent the legal system. The perceived benefits are generally short-term, as legal actions can proceed even in the absence of personal service under certain circumstances, potentially leading to default judgments.
