1. The courtroom deputy typically prepares the summons within 24 hours of the filing of the complaint. The courtroom deputy may delay preparation of the summons if there is an error in the complaint or in the adversary filing procedure or if the filing fee is not paid.

2. The date of the adversary is the date the complaint was filed, not the date of the summons.

3. The judge’s courtroom deputy serves the summons to the plaintiff(s) through CM/ECF email notification. NOTE: If the attorney for the plaintiff(s) is not properly listed, the attorney will not receive the summons. A paper copy of this summons will be provided to pro se plaintiff(s).

4. The summons and complaint must be served within 7 days after the summons is issued. Fed. R. Bankr. P. 7004(e).

5. If, when served, the debtor is represented by an attorney, the attorney must also be served by any means authorized by Fed. R. Civ. P. 5(b). Fed. R. Bankr. P. 7004(g).

6. See Fed. R. Bankr. P. 7004 for instructions on how to properly serve the summons and complaint. Rule 7004(b) provides instructions on service by mail as an alternative, including service on a corporation, partnership, or other unincorporated association, which is specified in Fed. R. Bankr. P. 7004(b)(3).

7. CM/ECF serves the U.S. Trustee every complaint through automatic email notification. The panel trustee in the bankruptcy case does not need to be served the summons and complaint unless the trustee is a party to the adversary.

8. If the summons is not served within 7 days, the plaintiff(s) may request a reissued summons from the courtroom deputy.

9. See Fed. R. Bankr. P. 7012(a) for the time to serve a responsive pleading, including an answer to a complaint.