Sometimes people will do amazing things to get out of being served. When someone is avoiding service, it means that they already know it’s coming. If the legal papers to be served are in a high-stakes divorce or a high dollar civil suit, you might get a runner.
These people think that the problem will just go away if they are not served. They don’t realize that there are alternative means of service available. In fact, some courts are even allowing some digital service via email or social media where the receipt upon opening can be verified. Still, it is best to get someone served by traditional means when available.
Some of the things that people will do to avoid service are just crazy. Here are a few examples.
Low-speed chase
You’ve seen high speed cop chases on TV and media, but low-speed chases are unheard of. Or are they? Private process servers run into this problem all the time. The target sees them coming, and they jump in their car and take off. They figure as long as they’re moving, you can’t serve them. They might even obey all traffic laws, but the only way you’re getting them served that day is if you can follow until they finally stop.
Faking identity
If someone opens the door to a private process server unexpectedly, they might still try to get out of service by claiming to be someone else. Of course, if the process server can’t validate their identity, they have to turn away. But the process server can play their game and come back with a known photo of the individual. That way when they answer the door, it doesn’t matter what they say. The service is valid upon identification.
Slamming the door
Most people think that if they slam the door in the private process server’s face, they have evaded service. But in the state of Florida, service is valid as long as the person is aware of the papers on the premises and positive identification has been made. The process server can leave the papers in the door at that point and still have valid service.
Having trouble getting papers served in your case? Contact us today for assistance.
