John Robert Lanier v. McMath Construction, Inc.

Summary

The court held that Alabama could independently determine whether the Louisiana judgment was void, while applying Louisiana law to the validity of service. Because Lanier was not personally served and the certified mail was accepted by a person whom the evidence did not establish as authorized to accept service for him, the Louisiana default judgment was void and could not be enforced in Alabama. The court reversed the denial of Lanier's motion for relief from judgment and remanded.