Remember you need have the sheriff serve, each defendant with all four forms at least 14 days before the hearing date.
"Return of service" is how you tell the court that the defendant was served.
Step 4. File with the Court
At least 3 business days before the hearing, file:
The Notice to Quit and
The original complaint and
The original summons for each defendant, with the return of service (the paper signed by the sheriff showing he gave the paperwork to the tenant, or CV-204, with attachment, to prove the tenant was served) and
A copy of the lease if there is one and
The filing fee of $100.
Step 5. Go to the Hearing
Go to the hearing even if your tenant doesn’t. You will get more instructions from the judge at the hearing. Mediation is available at the court on the day of hearing at no additional cost.
If you win in court
If the judge decides in your favor, you will be entitled to a judgment for possession of the premises and a “writ of possession.” Unless the tenant pays the back rent and any costs and fees owed, the law allows the writ of possession to issue 7 days after judgment enters. If the tenant has not moved out by that time, you need to purchase the writ from the clerk and hire a sheriff to serve the writ of possession on the tenants. After the writ is served, the tenant will have 48 hours to move out.