The Involuntary Summons is a formal command from the Court which notifies the debtor that an involuntary petition was filed, as well as the date and location of the filing and that a response is required within 21 days of service of the summons. The summons is issued immediately by the Court to the petitioning creditor's attorney.

It is the responsibility of the petitioning creditor's attorney to serve the debtor within 14 days and certify service of the summons in writing with the Court via the events Involuntary Summons Certificate of Service or Involuntary Summons Service Unexecuted. Failure to comply may result in a delay in the processing of the case.