There must be another way at matrimonial law of your state to serve the summon other than personal service. Therefore, he cannot hide forever. Before he actually answers your friend's complaint in response the summon, he options for delaying the case are limited. The most important, your friend must collect evidence in order to prove later at the trial what property he has transferred. Under the law, transfer of assets in anticipation of a law suit or criminal investigation may be deemed fraudulent and therefore invalid. Because your friend's divorce action has not commenced yet, the court really cannot do much to help her in this matter.