Suitable age and discretion is both a legal definition of maturity (and by contrast immaturity),[1] and an alternate method of service of process by which a process server can leave a summons, subpoena, or complaint with a person living at the residence of the defendant.
The legal working age in Western countries is usually between 14 and 16, depending on the hours and type of employment.
[1] Under the laws of some states, including New York, a child of 14 can get married with permission of a court and a guardian, and marriages of those younger than that are void.
[7] In the United States, this form of process is recognized by Arizona,[8] California,[5][9] Louisiana,[10] and Michigan.
[6] The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4(e)(2)(B), allows "delivering a copy of the summons and of the complaint to the individual personally or by leaving copies thereof at the individual's dwelling house or usual place of abode with some person of suitable age and discretion then residing therein ...."[12] Suitable age and discretion service of process is recognized by Philippine law.