Can an individual in California file a small claims case and NOT serve the defendant (or defer the serving)?
<p>Does California allow a plaintiff to file a small claims case and either not serve the defendant or defer the serving until some time in the future (perhaps the plaintiff has 6 months to serve the defendant)?</p>

<p>Service is not optional is California, see <a href="https://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-serving.htm" rel="nofollow noreferrer">the court page</a> on service. The specific rule, <a href="https://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/title_3.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Rule 3.110</a>, says that</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>The complaint must be served on all named defendants and proofs of
  service on those defendants must be filed with the court within 60
  days after the filing of the complaint. When the complaint is amended
  to add a defendant, the added defendant must be served and proof of
  service must be filed within 30 days after the filing of the amended
  complaint.</p>
</blockquote>

california small-claims-court service