(a) The court shall hold a summary hearing at the time and date for the return of summons.(b) If a person is not served with the petition and summons and fails to appear for the summary hearing, the court shall:(1) Continue the summary hearing not more than ten days;(2) Require the commissioner to make additional or alternative attempts at service of the petition and summons upon the person; and(3) Extend any restraining order.(c) Upon a showing of good faith efforts to effect service upon a person who has failed to appear for a continued summary hearing, the court shall order notice of the petition to be published. The order and notice shall specify a return date not less than ten nor more than twenty days after the publication and that the restraining order has been extended to the continued hearing date.(d) If a person fails to appear for a summary hearing after service of the summons, the court shall enter judgment in favor of the commissioner against that person.(e) A person who appears for the summary hearing shall file its answer at the hearing and the court shall:(1) Determine whether to extend any temporary restraining orders pending final judgment; and(2) Set the case o appears for the summary hearing shall file its answer at the hearing and the court shall:(1) Determine whether to extend any temporary restraining orders pending final judgment; and(2) Set the case for trial on a date not more than ten days from the summary hearing.(f) The court shall grant no continuance for filing an answer.
West Virginia Legal Code