It is customary and necessary to make the widow, heirs and all persons in possession or claiming an interest in the lands, parties to the proceeding.7 A decree cannot be rendered until all the parties interested in the real estate have been duly served with process or have entered their appearance, or in some way given the court jurisdiction over themselves.8

(a) The premises sought to be sold should be carefully described; otherwise an erroneous description may defeat the purpose of the proceeding.9

(b) Process. The filing of the petition having taken place, the summons, or citation, is then issued, usually directed to the proper officer of the county, requiring the defendant to appear and answer the petition upon the return day named in the summons. The process is served by leaving a copy with and reading the same to the defendant, or by leaving a copy at his usual place of abode with some member of the family and informing such person of the contents thereof. The method of constructive service is usually fixed by statute. It may be given by publication if permissible under the respective statutes.