Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District / Jun 17, 2025
Ridgetop Manor, LLC, Respondent, vs. Lisa M. White, Appellant.
Lisa White appealed a circuit court judgment granting Ridgetop Manor, LLC possession of an apartment in an unlawful detainer action. White argued that Ridgetop failed to comply with statutory service of process requirements and that she did not waive her jurisdictional defense by filing a counterclaim. The appellate court reversed the judgment, holding that Ridgetop violated § 534.090 by not attempting personal service before other methods and that White preserved her jurisdictional defense. The case was remanded with instructions to dismiss without prejudice.