What does it mean that my residence is unknown and notice is by publication?

It means the plaintiff filed an affidavit saying they couldn't locate you, so the court allows notice by newspaper instead of personal service.

How long do I have to respond to the complaint?

You have 30 days from the date of the last publication to file an answer or plead to the complaint in Lee County Circuit Court.

What happens if I don't respond within 30 days?

The court may enter a default judgment, potentially deciding the loan and security priority without your input.

Court Notice — Opelika (CV-2025-900605)

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Determine priority

Affects:DefendantsCreditors

Vanderbilt Mortgage & Finance filed a lawsuit in Lee County Circuit Court to determine the priority of a consumer loan note and security agreement; a defendant with unknown residence (Sandy N. Harrell) must respond within 30 days of the last publication date. The suit seeks a court ruling on loan/security priority and requires the named defendant to answer the complaint or risk default.

Key Takeaways

Defendant Sandy N. Harrell must respond within 30 days of last publication
Plaintiff: Vanderbilt Mortgage & Finance seeks priority determination
Defendant's residence considered unknown; substituted service by publication
Failure to answer may lead to default judgment

Published: May 14, 2026 · 5 days ago
Category: Court Notice
City: Opelika
Case #

CV-2025-900605

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If you don't respond

If Sandy N. Harrell does not answer within 30 days of the last publication date, the court may enter a default judgment and decide the priority of the loan and security agreement without the defendant's input.

What to do next

1
Confirm last publication date
Check the newspaper notice for the final publication date and calculate the 30‑day response deadline from that date.
2
Consult an attorney promptly
Contact Paul J. Spina, III or another attorney to discuss filing an answer or motion before the 30‑day deadline.
3
File an answer with the court
Prepare and file a written answer or responsive pleading in Lee County Circuit Court before the 30‑day deadline to avoid default.

Frequently asked questions

What does it mean that my residence is unknown and notice is by publication?: It means the plaintiff filed an affidavit saying they couldn't locate you, so the court allows notice by newspaper instead of personal service.
How long do I have to respond to the complaint?: You have 30 days from the date of the last publication to file an answer or plead to the complaint in Lee County Circuit Court.
What happens if I don't respond within 30 days?: The court may enter a default judgment, potentially deciding the loan and security priority without your input.

The suggestions and answers above are AI-generated for general information only. They can be wrong, and we don't take responsibility for their accuracy. Talk to a qualified professional before acting on them.

Legal terms in this notice

Affidavit of unknown residence: A sworn statement that a defendant's address is unknown and regular service cannot be made.
Priority determination: Court decision about which creditor's claim or lien ranks first on the same collateral.
Service by publication: Notifying a party of a lawsuit by publishing notice in a newspaper when their address is unknown.
Default judgment: A court ruling in favor of the plaintiff because the defendant failed to respond.

Full Notice Text

LEGAL NOTICENOTICE TO DEFENDANT OF COMPLAINT ISSUED OUT OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMACV-2025-900605VANDERBILT MORTGAGE AND FINANCE, INC.v.GLENDA K. MITCHELL ET AL.Notice is hereby given that the above-named Plaintiff filed in said Circuit Court, a cause of action to determine the priority of the Consumer Loan Note andSecurity Agreement, held by VANDERBILT MORTGAGE AND FINANCE, INC. That on the 24th day of April, 2026, Paul J. Spina, III, Attorney for Plaintiff, filed inthe above-entitled cause an Affidavit stating that the Defendant Sandy N. Harrell's location of residence is unknown, and Defendant has been avoidingservice from its location of residence for more than 30 days since the filing of the Complaint. NOW THEREFORE, the above-described Defendant is herebycommanded to answer or plead to the Complaint filed in the above-entitled cause within thirty (30) days from the date of the last Publication of this leg

Court Notice — Opelika (CV-2025-900605)

What to do next

Frequently asked questions

Legal terms in this notice

See also

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