The petition being preferred, the court shall award process for summoning the creditors of the petitioner to appear in the court, on some certain day, and show cause, if any they have, why the petitioner should not be discharged from imprisonment upon assigning his or her property for the benefit of his or her creditors. Service of such summons upon the agent or attorney of a creditor not residing in the State shall be a valid service as to such creditor. Service of a summons upon 1 of several parties, joint plaintiffs, or joint creditors, shall be sufficient so far as concerns a partnership, or joint debt.