What if the defendant spouse cannot be located or evades service of the complaint?
Where the current residence of the defendant is unknown, “constructive” service may be had on him/her by publication. Service by publication permits the court to commence the case and rule on the status of the marriage and the marital property located within the state. Unless the defendant has been personally served or has voluntarily entered an appearance in the case, however, the court cannot rule on property outside the state and cannot make a ruling on spousal support.
