If a process server is attempting to reach you about serving you civil papers, your curiosity is probably peaked. While sometimes people know why they’re being served ahead of time, many people are caught off guard by the process server. Process servers are tasked with delivering all types of legal papers for both civil and criminal courts, along with some other specialized court offices at times. In this post, we’ll go over the most common reasons people are served civil papers.
Civil Lawsuit
If someone has named you as a defendant in a civil lawsuit, whether it be for you as an individual or as part of a business or organization you are part of, then a process server will have to serve you with a summons and complaint at a minimum. The summons confirms that the case has been filed in court and provides you with information on how to respond to the summons, when to be in court, and other important details. A complaint simply lays out the claims the petitioner (the person or business who filed the court case) has made against you. Once you are served with a summons and complaint, you have a certain amount of time to respond to the complaint. This response, known as an “answer”, lays out your defenses against the petitioner’s claims and can also include a countersuit against the petitioner when applicable.
Eviction
Evictions are another common reason to be served with civil process. Evictions are a civil, not criminal, matter, so you will be served with a civil eviction notice if an eviction case is filed against you. In addition to the eviction notice, you may also be formally served with other related notices, such as a notice to vacate, notice to pay owed rents, or an order of judgment in relation to an eviction case, which are all forms of civil process.
Foreclosure
Foreclosures are on the rise across the country, so we’re seeing more and more foreclosure notices going out to individuals and businesses. Just like evictions, foreclosures are a civil, not criminal, matter. People typically receive numerous notices and letters throughout the foreclosure process, and many lenders or lienholders choose to use a process server to deliver all of these.
Family Law
Family law, such as divorce or child custody, is another common civil area of practice. There can be many notices, orders, and judgments sent back and forth during these types of cases, and a process server is often used to ensure everyone’s safety, as these cases typically cause emotions to run high.
Quality Service of Process in Tallahassee
No matter what type of civil process you need served in Leon County, Accurate Serve of Tallahassee has you covered. We deliver all types of civil and criminal process across the counties in Florida’s 2nd Judicial Circuit, including Leon, Franklin, Liberty, Gadsden, Jefferson, and Wakulla. If you need process served in northern Florida, give us a call at 850-519-5494 or send us a work request online.
