What is the term for leaving documents at the defendant's dwelling with a suitable person of age and discretion when personal service fails?

• A. Direct Service
• B. Notice and Demand
• C. Substituted Service
• D. Service by Mail

Answer: (C)

Substituted service is the method used when you can’t personally hand the documents to the defendant. It involves leaving a copy at the defendant’s dwelling with a suitable adult (someone of age and discretion) and, in many rules, then sending a copy by mail too. This still gives the defendant notice without requiring direct hand delivery to them.

This differs from direct service, which requires handing the documents straight to the defendant; service by mail, which relies on mailing without any hand-off at the dwelling; and notice and demand, which isn’t a distinct method of serving process.