Judge Guy D. Dutcher

Applies to

Cost reimbursement request

Requests to reimburse preparation-for-sale costs exceeding $1,000 require court approval before any work is completed.

Applies to

Cost reimbursement request

A request for reimbursement of sale-preparation costs must include a third-party bid identifying the work, hours needed, and requested rate of pay.

Applies to

Pleading

Small-claims pleadings must include complete itemizations, invoices or billings, or creditor affidavits regarding the claim.

A summons and complaint may not be served before they are filed and authenticated.

Applies to

Summons

Service

Mail

Summons may be served by mail in non-eviction, non-contempt proceedings as provided by the cited statutes.

Applies to

Summons

Service

Mail

Eviction summons must be served by certified mail with return receipt requested, unless the plaintiff prefers personal or substituted service; the statutory fee must be paid before certified-mail service is undertaken.

A written answer following an oral denial is due within ten days.

Deadline

2 hours

A defendant may answer without appearing by mailing or delivering a written answer to the Clerk, which must be received and filed at least two hours before the return date and time.

A motion for a de novo hearing in Family Court must be filed within 14 days of the oral decision or the filing of the written decision.

Applies to

Certified-mail service of an eviction summons

The plaintiff must pay the statutory fee to the Clerk before certified-mail service procedures begin.

Applies to

Judgment docketing

Each creditor entitled to recovery must pay an individual docketing fee when requesting that the judgment be docketed.