Legal proceedings in Florida rely on strict procedures to maintain fairness and ensure that all parties are properly informed of their obligations. For process servers, one of the most valuable tools to achieve this is skip tracing. This investigative method plays a vital role in locating defendants who may be difficult to find, helping to keep legal cases moving forward without delays.
What is Skip Tracing?
Skip tracing is the process of locating individuals who are challenging to find, whether because they have moved without updating their address, changed jobs, or are intentionally avoiding being served legal documents. This method involves analyzing data from a variety of sources to determine the person’s current whereabouts.
Process servers in Florida use skip tracing to ensure that legal documents, such as subpoenas, summonses, or complaints, are delivered in accordance with state laws. By leveraging detailed records, online sources, and advanced techniques, skip tracing allows process servers to uncover critical information about an individual’s location, even when they have taken measures to stay hidden.
Tools & Techniques Used in Skip Tracing
Skip tracing relies on both technology and old school investigative skills. Some common resources used in the process include
- Address history databases to identify previous and current residences
- Utility bills and property records to track occupancy
- Employment records to locate workplaces
- Court filings and public records for any documented activity
- Social media activity to reveal location clues
- Credit reports (where legally permissible) to uncover financial ties
By analyzing these data points, process servers can create a comprehensive picture of a person’s movements and pinpoint their current location.
Why is Skip Tracing Necessary?
Skip tracing is essential in cases where:
- The defendant has moved without providing a forwarding address
- The individual is intentionally avoiding being served
- The person’s location is otherwise unknown due to lack of information
For example, in family law disputes, such as divorce or child custody cases, one party may relocate to evade legal proceedings. Skip tracing ensures that these individuals are found and served so the case can proceed without unnecessary delays.
How Skip Tracing Benefits Legal Cases
Skip tracing is a crucial tool for attorneys, businesses, and individuals involved in legal matters. It provides several key benefits:
- Timely Service of Process – Ensures legal documents are delivered without delay, keeping cases on schedule.
- Compliance with Legal Standards – Adheres to Florida’s legal requirements for serving process, reducing the risk of procedural errors.
- Cost-Effective Solutions – Saves time and resources compared to unsuccessful or repeated attempts to locate and serve individuals.
Accurate Serve® of the Lee Island & Paradise Coast
At Accurate Serve® of Ft. Myers, Labelle, Naples, and Port Charlotte, our experienced team specializes in skip tracing, process service, document retrieval, and diligent searches. We use state-of-the-art tools and proven investigative techniques to locate hard-to-find individuals and ensure that your legal documents are served promptly and professionally. For more information about our services for individuals, attorneys, and firms, call us today at the Lee Island or Paradise Coast office closest to you, or send us a work request online. Let Accurate Serve® help you keep your legal case on track!
- Fort Myers – (239) 212-0619
- LaBelle – (239) 212-0619
- Naples – (239) 212-0619
- Port Charlotte – (239) 212-0619
