Serving Documents in Small Claims Court

Small claims court cases are different from other cases because they are limited amount to certain amounts in the claim, usually $5,000. Also, certain kinds of cases like medical malpractice suits are not allowed there. Small claims cases are handled by special courts which often have a high volume of cases, and often deal with landlord-tenant issues or other kinds of personal claims. 

Many people who file a claim in small claims court handle the case themselves, and if they do so, they are required to follow the rules as though they were lawyers themselves. They need to know that when they file paperwork to start the case, they also need to make sure the person they are suing knows about the lawsuit. By law, all defendants must have legal notice of any claims against them in order to have a chance to defend themselves. Not only that, every individual must be served, even if they live together.

There are several ways a person can be served, including certified mail. However, that doesn't guarantee the right person will actually get the paperwork. Person service is the best kind of service, because it means that the person named in the lawsuit actually receives notice in person.

 There are usually limitations as to who is allowed to serve documents, and individuals may have difficulty finding the person who needs to be served. Process servers can solve all those problems, as they have the ability to find people and they can deal with dangerous or complicated situations. The defendant can even run away or refuse to accept the paperwork, but service is still good as long as notice is given.

After the defendant has been served, an affidavit will need to be filed with the court. It is important to follow all rules and guidelines, as the case could be compromised or even dismissed if procedures are not followed properly. 

If you or someone you know needs more information on a process server, contact the team at Same Day Process Service today.

What Is Skip Tracing?

Originally posted on 09/10/2015 Sometimes finding someone is the biggest issue with having them do something! Process servers help deliver the legal documents that make the legal system operate. This system would not run nearly as...

Which Industries Most Often Use Process Servers?

Originally posted on 10/19/2015 At Same Day Process Service, our clients come from a variety of industries. With a combined 60 years of experience, every skilled process server we work with has successfully served individuals for...

How Is Skip Tracing Performed?

Originally posted on 12/21/2015 What do you do when you can't find something or someone? Do you call around? Maybe you check the place where you saw that object or person last. How does this search become more intense when you have...

Do I Need to Hire a Process Server?

Originally posted on 03/01/2016 Legal matters experience a better outcome through the hiring of a professional process server. Additionally, you’ll experience less frustration as well as time savings. Check out the reasons why you...

Serving Heavyweight Boxer Pedro Lovell

Serving civil process is often too exciting and is perpetually, non-stop OJT (on the job training). I received papers to serve on the heavyweight boxer, Pedro Lovell, often referred to as "KO King," "The LA Bomber," "The...

How Are Legal Documents Authenticated?

Originally posted on 04/04/2016 While a signature may be authenticated by someone who has reasonable familiarity with a subject's writing, the majority of legal documents require more than a simple statement stating that they are...

How to Choose the Best Process Server

Originally posted on 07/13/2015 Imagine that you want to take action against someone else in court, but you can't notify them because you can't find them. But since the law says that you must notify them, what can...

Serving An Evasive New York Attorney

I was asked to serve divorce papers on a New York attorney who had been avoiding service and was coming to Maryland to visit his parents to celebrate the Passover. He was supposed to be arriving between 2 and 5 pm Friday. Our client informed me...

What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Mobile Notary?

Originally posted on: 11/17/2015 Mobile notaries are notary publics who travel to a client’s location to conduct a notarial act. Almost anyone can benefit from a mobile notary’s services, but there are a few surprising benefits...

How Long Will It Take to Have My Papers Served?

Originally posted on: 03/14/2018 "Are we there yet?" We all remember hearing our kids or maybe or younger selves saying that at one point. We want to be at our destination without the wait on the journey. Serving processes is...

There are court documents inside that Pizza Box!

Imagine for a moment that someone shot you, robbed you, or burglarized your house, and some persons witnessed the crime but refused to testify about what they saw. On occasion, we receive legal documents for people who refuse to make themselves...

Serving Barack Obama: A Private Citizen

When Barack Obama was President, he had to be served legal documents by certified mail.  When he left office, he moved into this beautiful 8,000 square foot brick home on Belmont Street, overlooking Rock Creek Park. Since he was no longer...

A Most Ferocious Dog

I received a subpoena for a person living in Virginia's boondocks.  The trip was a long winding drive through the mountains where I eventually found the house, set back in the trees, 150 yards from the road.  There was a creek and...

5 Tips For Being a Better Process Server

Just like people, not every process service is the same. Some people are harder to hand papers off to than others. Many defendants believe that avoiding a process server means their legal troubles go away (this is false). This myth leads some people...

A Story of Patience and Persistence

The doctor we were trying to serve had been an enigma for over a month. Our servers made several unsuccessful attempts to serve him at his office in White Plains, MD. His door was always locked and no sound heard from within. The receptionist in the...
Page: 123456 - All