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Who can serve Legal Documents?
Most anyone can serve papers over the age 18 however professional servers should be registered with their county and experienced at the parameters of service of process.
Age vs Youth!
Our process Servers are “seasoned” at 50 yrs old, endowed with grit and knowledge. Process servers here have the marriage of age and experience which gives our seasoned servers a real edge over the competition. We feel the challenges of life gives age inherent advantages over youth in this business. The hort of life's joys and misfortunes paired with know-how compels a true realization of success in legal service. These life skills that have been seared into memory's enables our process servers to read people and situations in great detail. These experiences have honed our partner’s skills over many years and given us a real edge. When it comes down to reading body language and tone which wields real results. You just can’t replace experience with youth. When your case depends on successful service you need a veteran to grease the wheel of knowledge.
Serving papers has never been cryptic and seems to always have its share of unique circumstances. We care to use wisdom not youth when serving docs, “One of our best assets”. Determining fact from fiction in a short conversation happens in a nanosecond, and our veterans have mastered this skill to an almost inconceivable science. We love our servers here at Greyhound Legal they are our most precious asset, and will remain a staple of our company now and in the future. Our employees or “Partners as we like to call them” are the conduit of our company and in the spirit of high mutual respect and unity I will simply say, Thank You!
Washington Process Server Licensing Requirements
In order to serve process in the state of Washington, an individual is required to register with the auditor of the county in which the process server resides. If the server operates in multiple counties he/she must be registered in the county he/she resides in or calls his or her principal residence. The fee for registration is typically a 10$ fee payable to the County. Additionally all servers should maintain local licensing requirements and carry E&O insurance as well as a bond.
Washington Rules of Civil Procedure
Rule 4 Process
(a) Summons - Issuance.
The summons must be signed and dated by the plaintiff or his attorney, and directed to the defendant requiring him to defend the action and to serve a copy of his appearance or defense on the person whose name is signed on the summons.
Unless a statute or rule provides for a different time requirement, the summons shall require the defendant to serve a copy of his defense within 20 days after the service of summons, exclusive of the day of service. If a statute or rule other than this rule provides for a different time to serve a defense, that time shall be stated in the summons.
A notice of appearance, if made, shall be in writing, shall be signed by the defendant or his attorney, and shall be served upon the person whose name is signed on the summons. In condemnation cases a notice of appearance only shall be served on the person whose name is signed on the petition.
No summons is necessary for a counterclaim or cross claim for any person who previously has been made a party. Counterclaims and cross claims against an existing party may be served as provided in rule 5.
(b) Summons.
Contents. The summons for personal service shall contain:
the title of the cause, specifying the name of the court in which the action is brought, the name of the county designated by the plaintiff as the place of trial, and the names of the parties to the action, plaintiff and defendant;
a direction to the defendant summoning him to serve a copy of his defense within a time stated in the summons;
a notice that, in case of failure so to do, judgment will be rendered against him by default. It shall be signed and dated by the plaintiff, or his attorney, with the addition of his post office address, at which the papers in the action may be served on him by mail.
The Mechanics of Service of Process
All service requests received over the phone, email, or fax are confirmed through email. Once confirmed the office staff will ask for the following relevant documentation. Address of the respondent, picture, make and model of car and any particular special requests. Greyhound Legal's staff will make every attempt possible to process your paperwork at the specified time you request. Normal service is as follows. 1st attempt is between 9am-5pm 2nd attempt 4-9pm and 3rd attempt Sat or Sun 7-10am. Additional attempts upon special request are 25 dollars per attempt within our service area.
At intake we generate a field sheet that the server will take to the subject property. Before arriving, the server will circle the property make a mental snapshot of the surroundings, note access, then double back. After attempting service at the front stoop or business reception he will ask for the respondent. Within the conversation he/she will evaluate body language, how quick they respond their demeanor and tone. If the target is shifty, slow, and animated servers will likely engage a neighbor or co-worker until satisfied. Process servers can tell right away if there is little to no truthfulness to statements. If the server feels the responding individual is guarded, keyed up or tightening they will use alternative methods to effect service. If time dictates service ineffective we will return an affidavit of due diligence or continue service. When service is thwarted, the field sheet is filled in with details of service including, but not limited to personal appearance, date, time, physical description of respondent and structures.
Once the tenants of service have been completed above, all service is processed between 8-9 pm the evening of service. Office staff check for completeness, accuracy, and errors. Receiving will generate a declaration, return, proof, or certificate depending on state and local jurisdiction requirements. The office administrator will email the return docs and any special instructions with proof of the return. Lastly, e-filling then mail out our original USPS to ensure your suit materializes without fail.
All work is guaranteed, so if we have made any errors on your service docs a full refund will be returned no questions asked.
FAQ
Personal service of process does not require "in hand delivery," nor does it require that the defendant take possession of the paper being served.
FAQ
Defendants and respondents are easily tiped off by the sheriff and uniformed officers. Once litigants have seen a uniformed officer they will avoid further service at every turn. Service by uniformed officers reduces any additional attempts at service to an effective rate well under 50%.
FAQ
Service of a subpoena can be substituted to any individual living at the abode of suitable age and discretion residing therein. Such service shall be made no fewer than five days prior to service of the subpoena on the person named therein. (Rule CR 45 Subpoena).
FAQ
A Notice of unlawful detainer can be sub served to anyone living at the abode over the age of 14 residing therein and by mailing a copy to the person at their place of residence. Notice of the summons must be given not less than seven days from the date of service.
FAQ
Service requirements on a small claim for pierce county is 10 days prior to the hearing and the same goes for a small claims (counterclaim). Both a small claim and counterclaim can be sub served to anyone living at the abode of suitable age, (14yrs or older).
FAQ
Service by publication by court order when the respondent cannot be found or is evading service. Publication must run once a week for three consecutive weeks in one of the three most widely circulated papers in the county. See Rule 4 Process.
GreyhoundLegal.com 2223 189th St E Tacoma, WA 98445. (253) 230-9675
Lic # 602315868, Ins # 4100434OE, Bond #40789581N
Doing Common Things In Uncommon Ways!
GreyhoundLegal.com and Tyegoetz.net are both owned and operated by Tye G. Goetz. He has been serving legal documents for over ten years and has become adept at engineering new ways to get things done, doing common things in uncommon ways. GreyhoundLegal.com performs legal messenger service, mobile notary public service, courier, and investigators for Washington State. Our main focus is on process serving, courtesy loan signings, and surveillance in the great northwest. We are locally owned and operated and serve the Tacoma, Seattle, Olympia and Bremerton areas. Armed with knowledge and grit our staff are experts in our craft and take great pride in the fact that we maintain success rates well over the ninety percent range. We set the mold for exemplary service in our market and work outside of normal conventions to guarantee your documents are served successfully and on time, without jeopardizing your case. We are and will stay committed to our clients and customers guaranteeing legal documents are served in a timely fashion. GreyhoundLegal.com continues a stewardship of learning and growth while maintaining great customer service. Call our staff today for a free quote at 253-230-9675 or online at one of our websites GreyhoundLegal.com / Tyegoetz.net / Tyegoetz.com
