(1) All property owned by the person before marriage. (2) All property acquired by the person after marriage by gift, bequest, devise, or descent. (3) The rents, issues, and profits of the property described in this section. (b) A married person may, without the consent of the person's spouse, convey the person's separate property. After entry of a judgment of legal separation of the parties, the earnings or accumulations of each party are the separate property of the party acquiring the earnings or accumulations. [Based on California Family Code - Sections: 760, 770, 772, 2550]

The act of serving the respondent with legal papers, such as the Notice of Petition for Dissolution.

See above. These papers are usually presented to the respondent either by mail, or in person by a County Sheriff's Deputy or Process Server.

A writ issued by court authority to compel the attendance of a witness at a judicial proceeding; disobedience may be punishable as a contempt of court A legal summons requiring that one appear in court as a witness to give testimony.

A call or citation by authority to appear before a court or a judicial officer. Written notice to appear in court either as a defendant or a witness.