Unread Mail Is Still Legally Binding

Ignoring official mail doesn't make it go away. In most legal systems, a properly sent notice is considered delivered whether you opened it or not. A court summons you never read still has a valid hearing date. A termination letter you threw away unopened still terminated your contract. A tax notice you ignored still carries penalties for non-response.

This applies to physical mail, email, and increasingly to digital government portals. The legal concept is called "constructive receipt" — once it reaches your address or inbox, you are deemed to have received it. Open every piece of official-looking mail immediately. The worst surprises in bureaucracy come from envelopes people were afraid to open.