February 11, 2026

Service of process

CPLR 308(4) requires due diligence in seeking to effectuate service on a defendant before resorting to nail-and-mail service. Generally, a plaintiff can establish diligence by providing an affidavit of service indicating efforts to serve the defendant at the defendant's residence on three different occasions, at different times of day. However, there is not the requisite due diligence where all of the dates of attempted personal service were during the work week and during normal business hours and in the same afternoon window.

Unitrin Safeguard Ins. Co, v. Della-Noce, NY Slip Op 00601 (1st Dep't February 5, 2026)

Here is the decision.