Court cases involve a significant amount of paperwork that must be shared with all parties involved. Ensuring that everyone has received this paperwork is crucial, and that’s where process servers come in. In Ft. Myers, Florida, process servers are specially trained and certified to deliver various types of court paperwork, known as process, to different individuals and entities. They have several methods available for delivering the paperwork, each with its own benefits and limitations. In this post, we’ll explore the methods of serving process that process servers in Ft. Myers can use and when each method is appropriate.
Personal Service
Personal service is the most common and preferred method of process serving. During personal service, the process server physically hands the paperwork to its intended recipient. This method is the most effective and foolproof, ensuring that the recipient has received the documents directly.
Substituted Service
If personal service is not possible, substituted service may be requested. This method allows the process server to deliver the paperwork to another responsible person, such as the recipient’s significant other, an adult roommate, or their employer. In addition to handing the documents to the substituted individual, the process server must also send a copy via certified mail to the recipient’s last known address. In Florida, substituted service must be approved by a judge before it can be attempted.
Service by Publication
When the recipient cannot be located after exhaustive search methods, such as skip tracing and diligent search, and substitute service is not feasible, service by publication can be used. This involves publishing a legal notice in a local newspaper for a specified period. Once this period has elapsed, the recipient is considered served, and the case can proceed. Like substituted service, service by publication requires judicial approval before being executed.
Electronic Service
Electronic service is an emerging concept in Florida and may be permitted by a judge if all other methods to notify the recipient have failed. There are also specific situations where serving certain types of businesses via electronic means, such as email, is allowed.
Certified Mail
Service via Certified Mail, a service offered by the United States Postal Service that requires identification and a signature, is often used in addition to other process service methods. It provides an extra layer of assurance that the documents have reached their intended recipient. However, it is rarely used as the sole method for serving initial court case paperwork, such as summons and complaints. Other documents exchanged during the court case, such as evidence, motions, and pleadings, may be sent via certified mail only.
Work With Ft. Myers’ Premier Process Service Agency – Accurate Serve®
Working with a knowledgeable process server who understands all the different methods of service, including when to use each one, is essential for building a solid foundation for your legal case. Whether you’re an individual filing your own lawsuit or a legal firm handling numerous cases each year, Accurate Serve of Ft. Myers is here to help. We offer top-notch legal support services, including process service, document retrieval, skip tracing, and diligent searches. To start working with Florida’s most knowledgeable process service team, call us at (239) 212-0619 or send us a work request online.
