Assemble and file the initiating packet

Confirm jurisdiction, venue, parties and causes of action. File the complaint, CM-010 cover sheet and LACIV109 location addendum; obtain an issued summons. Identify any claim-specific prefiling notice or exhaustion prerequisite separately.

The filing deadline depends on each claim’s accrual, limitation period, tolling and any prefiling prerequisite; no universal complaint deadline exists.

Prepare a legally valid service packet

Include summons, complaint, notice of case assignment and any set case-management/status date; include the ADR information package. Identify an authorized recipient and method for each defendant.

Complete service on original defendants

Is this service on a defendant newly added by amendment?: Original named defendant

The ordinary CRC case-management service deadline is not a substitute for statutory service validity or the outside prosecution limits.

60 calendar days after complaint filing date

File proofs for original defendants

Is this service on a defendant newly added by amendment?: Original named defendant

File a separate accurate proof for each defendant; distinguish delivery/mailing dates from legally completed service.

60 calendar days after complaint filing date

Complete service on newly added defendant

Is this service on a defendant newly added by amendment?: Newly added defendant

For this branch enter the amended complaint filing date above.

30 calendar days after complaint filing date

File newly added defendant’s proof

Is this service on a defendant newly added by amendment?: Newly added defendant

The proof deadline runs from filing the amendment, not the date service is attempted.

30 calendar days after complaint filing date

Address unsuccessful service before the deadline

If service cannot be completed, file a supported extension application before the service period expires, describing attempts and a proposed completion date. Separately examine §§ 583.210–583.250 for the three-year service limit and its exclusions.

A prosecution-limit calculation requires the action’s commencement date and legally applicable exclusions; the 60-day management target does not answer that question.