Under service by mail with acknowledgment, the 20-day period to answer begins after which event?

Under service by mail with acknowledgment, the 20-day period to answer begins after which event?

• A. The defendant mailed acknowledgment
• B. The complaint was served
• C. The court approved service
• D. The plaintiff filed the complaint

Answer: (A)

When service is by mail with acknowledgment, the clock to answer starts once the defendant completes service by mailing back the signed acknowledgment of receipt. That acknowledgment confirms the defendant actually received the summons and complaint, so the 20-day period runs from the date the acknowledgment is mailed back. This ties the deadline to the defendant’s action of acknowledging receipt rather than to the initial mailing of the papers.

When service is by mail with acknowledgment, the clock to answer starts once the defendant completes service by mailing back the signed acknowledgment of receipt. That acknowledgment confirms the defendant actually received the summons and complaint, so the 20-day period runs from the date the acknowledgment is mailed back. This ties the deadline to the defendant’s action of acknowledging receipt rather than to the initial mailing of the papers.