How is a sole proprietorship treated for service purposes?

A sole proprietorship is treated as a natural person for service purposes because it is not legally separate from its owner. In this business structure, the owner personally handles all aspects of the business, and there is no distinction between personal and business liabilities. This lack of separation means that legal documents, such as summons or complaints, can be served directly to the owner, just as they would be served to any individual.

In contrast to corporations or partnerships, which have distinct legal identities separate from their owners or partners, a sole proprietorship operates under the name of the individual running the business. Consequently, legal proceedings involving the business affect the owner personally, reaffirming the treatment of a sole proprietorship as a natural person in legal contexts.