Television personality Ellen DeGeneres has asserted that she was not correctly served with legal documents concerning a lawsuit filed against her over a vehicle collision in Santa Barbara County, California. The incident, which occurred on October 16, 2023, has led to a complex legal battle where the plaintiff is demanding a jury trial, alleging that DeGeneres's negligence while driving caused the crash.
Details of the Legal Dispute and Service Issues
According to recent court filings reviewed by US Weekly, attorneys representing Ellen DeGeneres have detailed significant complications in the attempted service of court papers. The documents were reportedly left at the reception desk of Neuman + Associates, a business management firm, on December 23, 2025. However, DeGeneres's legal team emphasised that this location does not constitute her dwelling house, usual place of abode, or usual place of business.
Furthermore, they stated that DeGeneres was not present at Neuman + Associates at the time of the drop-off. The plaintiff indicated that a process server also attempted to deliver the legal documents at NKSFB, LLC, the parent company of Neuman + Associates, on January 6 and January 7, handing them to an employee or security guard.
Arguments from DeGeneres's Legal Representatives
In response, DeGeneres's lawyers argued that there was no reasonable expectation for her to be at that location on those specific days in January. They contended that it should be apparent to any process server that a security guard in a twenty-story building is not in charge of a business on the fifth floor. The legal team described it as extremely unlikely that the employee who received the documents would have a relationship with DeGeneres ensuring reliable delivery.
Harley Neuman of Neuman + Associates provided a statement in the court filing, noting the lack of verbal interaction with the process server and no acknowledgement of receipt. Neuman confirmed that DeGeneres was not at the firm during the drop-off and that no copy of the summons and complaint was mailed to the office.
Background of the Collision and Allegations
The lawsuit, initially filed in September, accuses Ellen DeGeneres of failing to stop at a stop sign, entering an intersection suddenly and without warning, which resulted in the collision. The plaintiff claims this action fell below the standard of care of a reasonable person, leading to the crash. As a consequence, the plaintiff reports sustaining multiple serious personal injuries, significant income and business loss, emotional distress, anxiety, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Current Legal Proceedings and Personal Circumstances
Due to DeGeneres residing overseas in the Cotswolds region of England, she has yet to be formally served. Court documents indicate that the plaintiff will utilise the Hague Convention Service to present the complaint. A non-jury trial is currently scheduled for November 2026, though the plaintiff has requested a jury trial.
Ellen DeGeneres, who recently celebrated her 68th birthday, was on vacation in Florence, Italy, with her wife, Portia de Rossi, 52, when the suit was filed. The couple has since relocated to the English countryside, following the 2024 presidential election outcome. They sold a farmhouse purchased for $30 million in July and moved into a larger property to accommodate de Rossi's horses.
Broader Context and Career Developments
This legal matter arises amidst a period of change for DeGeneres, whose long-running talk show ended in May 2022 after facing allegations of a toxic workplace environment during the coronavirus pandemic. Once among Hollywood's most influential entertainers, she has since stepped back from the spotlight, focusing on personal life and property investments with de Rossi.
The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Ellen DeGeneres for additional comment on the story, but no further statements have been provided at this time.
