Process Serving Basics for Creditors

Debt collection can be frustrating. Many times people promise they will send you the money they owe to you and nothing happens.  You may need to file legal documents so that you can take your debtor to court. If that is the case, it is important to understand process serving basics for creditors.

In the United States, you must notify all parties if you are taking legal action against them.  Specifically, you must deliver a set of documents describing the legal action to the parties that you are suing.  These legal documents include writs, summons, complaints, subpoenas, etc. The delivery of these documents is known as “serving paper”.

Delivery of Legal Documents

Who can deliver the legal papers?  The party taking the legal action cannot serve the papers.  Instead, someone who is over 18 years of age and does not have an interest in the case must serve the papers.  You could employ someone that you know to serve the papers.  Additionally, you could mail them via certified mail.  However, to substantially reduce the risk of improper service, we recommend that you use a professional process server or a sheriff, marshal, or constable to serve the papers.  A professional process server also can help to locate the person you need to serve. 

Once your legal document is served, you must provide the court with evidence that proper service occurred.

It is very important that you serve the correct people in a corporation, business, or government institution.  Although this may sound easy, it can sometimes be quite complex.

The rules for process serving may vary by region. You should be familiar with the rules for the State of Maryland and Washington, DC if you live in that area.

Many times, it may be helpful to consult an attorney.  Kind and Dashoff, LLC is a law firm and a licensed and bonded collection agency. In addition, they are experts at debt collection techniques and legal remedies in Maryland and Washington, DC.  They work hard to collect the money that is owed to you.