Service by publication is the least preferred form of service and is only used as a last resort. Remember that service is notice to the other party of the lawsuit affecting their legal rights and interests. Publishing a legal notice advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation is no guarantee of actual service. The legal notice of the case is published in the county where the case is filed. Notice must also be published in the county of the last known residence of the other person, if that is a different county. Learn more