What Do Process Servers in Florida Do

This article will provide guidance on What Due Process Servers in Florida Do? A process server is an impartial individual who serves court papers to a party in a legal dispute. These papers might be a complaint, a subpoena, or a summons to appear in court. In Florida, the sheriff serves legal documents to the intended recipient in the county where they are located. The sheriff of a county may appoint certain process servers under Florida law. Click Here for Frequently Asked Questions About Process Servers!

A process server receives a badge with a picture after the sheriff has appointed them. If the sheriff’s office feels the process server isn’t executing its job properly, they have the right to withdraw the appointment at any moment. Click here for information on How Rush Process Service Can Expedite Your Case.

PROCESS SERVICE DONE BY A PROCESS SERVER

Personal service is when the sheriff personally serves the defendant with the legal documents, either at their residence or a public location. Although a person may be served at their employment, the process server cannot merely appear there. Instead, they must inform the employer that they intend to serve the individual while they are at work. The company is then required to put up a private space where the employee may get service. Employers that refuse to participate risk receiving a thousand-dollar fine as punishment. Click here for information on How Service of Process Ensures A Solid Foundation.

Florida law sometimes permits a process server to leave papers with someone other than the person who is supposed to receive them. Under a few specific, restricted conditions, substituted service is legitimate and acceptable. For instance, if the individual isn’t home, the process server may leave the papers with a resident at least fifteen years old. If the spouse of the intended target requests it or is a party to the lawsuit, and the couples reside together, the sheriff may additionally serve process on the spouse of the intended target. In cases where they are opposing parties, such as in a divorce or child support case, a spouse cannot be served. Click here for information on How Process Servers Protect Your Rights: Myths Debunked

Additionally, leaving the documentation with the person in charge might benefit company owners. The owner may only be served in this manner by process servers two times in a row during normal business hours. In some situations, such as vehicle accidents, when the at-fault driver is from another state, exceptions exist to the rule of substituted service.

It is quite difficult to keep track of all the developments in a case, with legal jargon and proceedings becoming overwhelming. This is why a private process service firm like Undisputed Legal can help ensure that service is done quickly and effectively. Our Florida process servers serve all legal documents, including summons and complaints, divorce papers, family court documents, subpoenas, citations, small claims court cases, orders to show cause, petitions, discovery documents, evictions, landlord/tenant notices, motions, and more. We are a full-service process server agency providing services to federal, state & city agencies, law firms, attorneys, and the general public in Florida.

RESTRICTIONS FOR A PROCESS SERVER IN FLORIDA

Process servers must adhere to stringent regulations, and if they do not, the service may be null and void. To serve someone, process servers cannot commit a crime. This implies they cannot enter a person’s house to get to them. Additionally, they are not allowed to harass or intimidate the serving individual. The alternative is to set up a “stakeout” and wait for the person outside their house or another location they know they frequent.

Process servers are not allowed to misrepresent their name or employment to anybody. They must state that they are either the sheriff or an authorized process server, and they must explain that they are there to serve a court document. Process servers must not minimize the value of their services.

Process servers are not allowed to deliver court documents on Sundays in Florida. The service is invalid, and they might be liable for damages if they break this regulation. Process servers may, however, ask the court for an exemption if they have cause to think that the person they are supposed to serve will leave the country on Sunday.

When it comes to serving legal documents, every state has a unique strategy, and Florida is no exception. It Is important to be aware of the regulations regarding the service of process in Florida. When selecting a process server, this understanding must be a primary consideration. Failure to follow state laws and rules regarding the serving of process may cause court proceedings to be delayed or, worse still, result in the dismissal of a case. This is why a private process-serving agency like Undisputed Legal is a preferable means of serving papers. At Undisputed Legal, we have local Florida process servers and ensure they are up to date with licensing and other regulatory jurisdictions.

Only an authorized official (often the county sheriff) or a capable, impartial third-party selected by the court may act as a process server in civil matters in accordance with Florida’s serving of process laws. A special process server designated by the sheriff may deliver the required legal papers for non-enforceable civil processes, criminal witness subpoenas, and criminal summonses. The county sheriff may keep a list of people designated as process servers for other issues, according to Florida’s regulations on serving of process. The sheriff has authorized and designated these people to carry out process serving tasks.

No one may be arbitrarily added to the list of special process servers by a sheriff or a court. A person who wants to serve as a special process server must also pass an exam demonstrating their understanding of Florida’s laws and regulations governing service of process, submit to a criminal background check, and receive and file a certificate of good behavior. Before designating someone as a special process server, the county sheriff may impose extra-legal criteria. Our Florida process servers serve all legal documents, including summons and complaints, divorce papers, family court documents, subpoenas, citations, small claims court cases, orders to show cause, petitions, discovery documents, evictions, landlord/tenant notices, motions, and more. We are a full-service process server agency providing services to federal, state & city agencies, law firms, attorneys, and the general public in Florida.

FORMS OF SERVICE IN FLORIDA

The best way to distribute legal papers is by a personal serving of process. This comprises the process server delivering the papers to the party or parties mentioned in the lawsuit in person. The process server may attest that the party got the papers using this manner, which guarantees that it happened. This kind of service is often carried out by going to the person’s home mentioned in the complaint. The process may, however, sometimes be presented in a public environment.

The Florida Rules of Civil Procedure mandate that the process server try personal service at least twice if the party being sued owns the company. If these efforts are unsuccessful, the process server may leave the papers with a company employee who has supervisory authority.

To ensure that service is provided accurately and speedily in Florida, we offer three (3) levels of process service in Florida. As a default, we offer routine process service, wherein the process server will make its first attempt within five to seven business days. Still, for urgent requirements, we offer rush service, wherein the process server will make its first attempt in forty-eight hours. We also offer service by mail, wherein documents will be mailed within twenty-four hours.

The only difference in the above levels of service (Routine & Rush) is the start times; they all include the process server making up to three (3) attempts (Morning, Afternoon & Evening) to comply with the due diligence requirements.

WHAT HAPPENS IF A PARTY IS NOT FOUND

All reasonable efforts to serve legal documents on a party may fail in various circumstances. Rules of civil procedure stipulate that the process server may successfully deliver the papers in this situation by using a substituted service. This may include issuing notice in a regional magazine or delivering legal documents by certified mail. The sort of case that was filed will determine what appropriate alternative service is.

Because service by publication is not ideal, the court sets a high standard for the process server to clear before permitting service by publication.

A court will only permit service by publication if the process server has conducted a thorough search. It is also important to remember that Florida law forbids process servers from serving parties or trying to contact them on Sundays. If the process is served on a Sunday, the service will be deemed invalid, and the process server will have to start again.

OTHER REGULATIONS FOR SERVICE IN FLORIDA

It is crucial to remember that the service recipient must be informed of the papers’ nature. Thus, the process server cannot leave the documents in the mailbox simply. Additionally, if the papers are related to a divorce, the spouse who is being served cannot be the one who initiated the legal action. This is still true even if the couple is already cohabitating in the same home.

The process server has two chances to serve the owner directly in a defendant-owned company. If these efforts are unsuccessful, the documentation could be given to the person in authority. In cases when a person refuses service, the process server may leave the documents in the person’s mailbox at home. An example would be if the defendant tries to elude the process server or won’t answer the door.

Sometimes, despite the best efforts of the process server, a defendant is just untraceable. The process server may submit an “Affidavit of Diligent Search and Inquiry” under certain circumstances. This makes it possible for what is known as “service by publishing” or “constructive service.”

The court will need the Defendant’s last known address and details about the efforts to serve the individual for the process server to be considered. Keep in mind that the threshold for approving this exemption is high. The court asks the process server to certify that the defendant’s whereabouts were sought by checking many locations.

The process server must then post a notice in a local newspaper’s legal notice section if the court accepts the affidavit. The thirty-two-day notice period is required. The purpose of this publication is to provide Defendant with a chance to learn about the ongoing legal action. Service will be deemed properly given upon submitting an additional affidavit certifying that the notice was published, and the matter may proceed.

When a complaint or petition of any type is submitted to the court, the procedure begins. Afterward, the court issues a summons with the parties’ names, the case number, and the courthouse. The parties to the litigation must be served with the summons, complaint, or petition.

This is how a lawsuit is started, and it also marks the beginning of a party’s deadline for responding to a complaint or petition. Regulations govern what may and cannot be done in every jurisdiction, including Florida. The laws governing what a process server is permitted to perform are intricate. A sheriff or designated special process server is required under Florida law.

In Florida, the sheriff in the county where the individual to be served resides or can be located must handle all processes of serving. The sheriff may appoint a list of authorized designated special process servers. These persons may be recertified annually because they have satisfied specific state standards.

OTHER FORMS OF SERVICE THAT CAN BE DONE IN FLORIDA

In certain cases, substituted service is acceptable. Leaving the documents to be served with someone who will serve the recipient in place of the intended recipient is known as substituted service. If the individual who needs to be served runs a company, the documents might be placed with someone in authority there. But first, the process server must make at least two attempts to serve the individual at that company. Process serving must occur within regular business hours.

In certain circumstances involving auto accidents, substitute service is also permitted. If a defendant conceals their whereabouts or leaves the state, it could be utilized. If the accident happened in Florida, a plaintiff might serve as the secretary of state.

When a defendant’s address is known, such as via a post office box or virtual office, but the defendant cannot be located, substitute service may also be permitted. A court may then permit service of process to be made on the keeper of the post office box or virtual office. The guidelines for replacement service are closely interpreted by courts and must be followed to the letter.

OUR PROCESS

Documents can be faxed at (800)296-0115, emailed to ps@undisputedlegal.com, or uploaded to our website. We do require pre-payment and accept all major credit and debit cards. Once payment is processed, your sales receipt is immediately emailed for your records.

Drop-offs must call and make an appointment first to be added to building security to permit access to our office. Documents for service must be in a sealed envelope with payment in the form of a money order or attorney check (WE DO NOT ACCEPT CASH) payable to UNDISPUTED LEGAL INC.; Our receptionist receives all documents.

DOMESTIC COVERAGE AREAS:

INTERNATIONAL COVERAGE AREAS:

OFFICE LOCATIONS

New York: (212) 203-8001 – 590 Madison Avenue, 21st Floor, New York, New York 10022
Brooklyn: (347) 983-5436 – 300 Cadman Plaza West, 12th Floor, Brooklyn, New York 11201
Queens: (646) 357-3005 – 118-35 Queens Blvd, Suite 400, Forest Hills, New York 11375
Long Island: (516) 208-4577 – 626 RXR Plaza, 6th Floor, Uniondale, New York 11556
Westchester: (914) 414-0877 – 50 Main Street, 10th Floor, White Plains, New York 10606
Connecticut: (203) 489-2940 – 500 West Putnam Avenue, Suite 400, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830
New Jersey: (201) 630-0114 – 101 Hudson Street, 21 Floor, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302
Washington DC: (202) 655-4450 – 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 300, Washington DC 20004

for assistance serving legal papers in Florida

Simply pick up the phone and call Toll Free (800) 774-6922 or click the service you want to purchase. Our dedicated team of professionals is ready to assist you. We can handle all your process service needs; no job is too small or too large! For a complete list of our Flordia Process Service Coverage Areas, Click Here!

Contact us for more information about our process-serving agency. We are ready to provide service of process to all our clients globally from our offices in New York, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, Westchester, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Washington, D.C.

“Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives”– Foster, William A

Sources

1. The following are the prerequisites for a special process server:

Age of at least 18
Neither a legal nor a mental impairment
Is a resident of Florida permanently
Submits to and is successful in a background investigation
Passes the annual test on the rules of the process of serving
Makes a public oath

2. According to the norms of civil procedure, the process server must attest that they made many attempts to serve the papers and looked for a proper address using a variety of resources, which may include:

nearby hospitals
Public prisons
Tax offices
In charge of motor vehicles

3. Locations and resources to check include, for instance:

Office of Corrections
utility businesses
IRS offices
Motor Vehicle Department
Criminal records and telephone directories.