Trouble serving stbx

Just found out they did get served. [;)]

I am having the civil summons in my ED Complaint served by the sheriff’s dept., as well as a notice of hearing for a motion, and the rest of the ED documents. I am having it served this way because the stbx and I both have 50b orders against each other. The stbx has avoided being served so far. If this continues, and the stbx is able to prolong this game of avoiding being served, what are my rights? Do I lose any right to ED, or interim distribution? If the stbx doesn’t show up for any hearings or status conferences, whether they did or did not get served, do I lose any rights?