Effective Date of Service

This term is used ARFLP Rule 45 to denote the date service occurred. In most instances, this will be the date the divorce paperwork is actually served on Respondent. But in some instances, service never occurs because it is waived when the Respondent files an Answer. This becomes the date of service. As used in Rule 45, the effective date of service is used to calculate when the judge must rule on a lodged consent decree. If the consent decree is lodged prior to the expiration of the 60-day waiting period, the judge must sign it/rule on it within 81 days of the date of service; if it is lodged afterwards, the judge must sign it/rule on it with 21 days of the date it is lodge.