Summons and complaint must be served together. Which option correctly states what must be served with the summons?

• A. The complaint only.
• B. The complaint and a notice to appear.
• C. The complaint and the summons.
• D. A docket sheet.

Answer: (C)

The key idea is how service of process works: you must deliver both the summons and a copy of the complaint to the defendant. The summons provides formal notice that a lawsuit has been filed and sets the time to respond, while the complaint lays out the claims and the basis for the court's jurisdiction and the relief sought. Under Alabama rules, service is accomplished by delivering the summons together with the complaint, so the defendant has actual notice of the suit and the specific allegations to address.

Serving only the complaint would deprive the defendant of the formal notice to appear, while serving only the summons would leave them without the actual claims to respond to. A docket sheet is an internal court document and is not served on parties. Therefore, the correct approach is to serve the complaint together with the summons.