Services

We offer reliable process serving to ensure that legal documents are delivered promptly and in accordance with all local regulations, maintaining the integrity of the legal process.

Process serving is not a guaranteed service under the law because it is subject to the evasive actions of the defendant, strict jurisdictional regulations, and legal limitations on how service can be accomplished. While professional process servers can guarantee they will attempt service and utilize legal methods to find a defendant, they cannot guarantee that the defendant will be located, accept the papers, or that the service will not be contested in court. 

Here is an explanation of why process serving is not a guaranteed, "absolute" service under the law:

1. The Right to Evade Service

While avoiding service does not stop a lawsuit from proceeding, it is not illegal for a defendant to make it difficult for a server to find them. Defendants can legally: 

• Refuse to answer their door.

• Refuse to accept papers handed to them.

• Refuse to roll down their car window to speak to a server.

• Leave their home or place of work to avoid being found. 

2. Legal Limitations on the Process Server

Process servers must follow strict legal procedures (due process) and cannot break the law to complete service. They are prohibited from: 

• Trespassing: They cannot enter private property after being told to leave or break into a home or car.

• Harassment: They cannot stalk or harass a person to make a service.

• Misrepresentation: They cannot lie about their identity or pretend to be law enforcement. 

3. Requirements for Valid Service

If a process server violates regulations in their attempt to guarantee delivery, the service can be deemed invalid, resulting in the case being delayed or dismissed. Valid service requires strict adherence to, for example: 

• Targeting the correct person: Serving someone with a similar name or at an outdated address can invalidate the process.

• Authorized recipients: For corporations, papers must often be served on a registered agent, not just any employee.

• Specific timing: Some jurisdictions prohibit service on Sundays or religious days. 

4. When Personal Service Fails

If a defendant is elusive, the server must resort to substituted service (leaving papers with a person of suitable age at the residence) or service by publication (running a notice in a newspaper). These methods, while legal, are not guaranteed to provide "actual notice" to the defendant and can be contested later, even after a default judgment is entered. 

5. No Guaranteed Outcomes

A process server acts as an agent of the court; therefore, they cannot guarantee a successful outcome. If the defendant contests the service in court (a "traverse hearing"), a judge may rule that the service was insufficient, throwing out the process server's previous work. 

​