Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_08-cv-00986/USCOURTS-caed-1_08-cv-00986-13/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

VALENTINE E. UNDERWOOD, 

Plaintiff,

v.

M. KNOWLES, et al.,

Defendants.

 /

1:08-cv-00986-GSA PC

ORDER NOTIFYING PARTIES THAT

NINETY-DAY PERIOD WITHIN WHICH TO

FILE MOTION FOR SUBSTITUTION HAS

NOT BEEN TRIGGERED BY FILING OF

NOTICE DUE TO SERVICE DEFICIENCY

(Doc. 72.)

Plaintiff Valentine E. Underwood (“Plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding pro se in this

civil action. On December 7, 2010, defendant S. Lanz's attorney filed a notice of Lanz's death on

the record. (Doc. 72.) 

Rule 25(a)(1) provides for the dismissal of defendant Lanz from this action if a motion for

substitution is not made within ninety days after service of a statement noting Lanz’s death. Fed.

R. Civ. P. 25(a)(1). Two things are required of a party for the running of the ninety-day period to

commence: a party must 1) formally suggest the death of the party on the record, and 2) serve the

suggestion of death on the other parties and nonparty successors or representatives. Barlow v.

Ground, 39 F.3d 231, 233 (9th Cir. 1994). In order for the ninety-day period for substitution to be

triggered, a party must formally suggest the death of the party upon the record, Fed. R. Civ. P.

25(a)(1), and must serve other parties and nonparty successors or representatives of the deceased

with a suggestion of death in the same manner as required for service of the motion to substitute,

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Case 1:08-cv-00986-BAM Document 73 Filed 12/15/10 Page 1 of 2
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Fed. R. Civ. P. 25(a)(3). Thus, a party may be served the suggestion of death by service on his or

her attorney, Fed. R. Civ. P. 5(b), while non-party successors or representatives of the deceased party

must be served the suggestion of death in the manner provided by Rule 4 for the service of a

summons. Fed. R. Civ. P. 25(a)(3); Barlow v. Ground, 39 F.3d at 232-234. Rule 25 requires

dismissal absent a motion for substitution within the ninety-day period only if the statement of death

was properly served. Unicorn Tales, Inc., v. Bannerjee, 138 F.3d 467, 469-471 (2d Cir. 1998).

The parties areHEREBY NOTIFIED that the ninety-day period has not been triggered by the

notice because there is no declaration of service or other proof reflecting that there was proper

service of the notice on defendant Lanz’s successor or representative as provided by Rule 4.

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: December 15, 2010 /s/ Gary S. Austin 

6i0kij UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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