Many people including judgment enforcers, have become Registered Process Servers (RPSs) to attempt to earn more money and to find more judgments. For many people, becoming a process server is a good idea.
One of many judgment articles: I am a Judgment Broker, not a lawyer, and this article is my opinion, please consult with a lawyer if you need legal advice.
You cannot serve legal papers related to yourself or your business. Some judgment enforcers serve legal papers for each other to save money.
Like most fields, the more training classes you take on a regular basis, the better. You can never learn too much.
Most counties have minimal or modest requirements to become a RPS. However, process serving is not for everyone, because there are some risks. While most process servers are men, nothing stops a woman from being a process server.
I know a number of woman process servers, from 19 years to 69 years old. Some female process servers have their spouse or boyfriend wait in the shadows, in the rare cases when there might be trouble.
Some process servers have a concealed gun carrying permit; some carry pepper spray, and others prefer wasp spray, because it is almost as effective, cheaper, lasts longer, and is much more directional.
Registered process servers are interesting and important. A good RPS is valuable to attorneys and many others. As with judgment enforcers, some RPSs are flakes. Most serves are easy and some are difficult.
There are tricks one can use to handle difficult serves. One process server had an old pickup truck, and began to dump animal manure on his evasive serve-upon person’s lawn, to get them out of their house; when nothing else was able to get them to answer their doorbell.
While most process serving jobs are rather boring (boring means easy, which can be good), occasionally it is very interesting (difficult). Here are two stories of difficult process serving circumstances and their solutions:
Story 1: The debtor’s home had a fenced front yard with a big German Shepard on guard. On the gate was a sign that read “Beware of Dog”. The RPS handled this by stepping out of his car, locking it and then intentionally triggering the alarm, which made a huge noise commotion with flashing lights.
The RPS let the alarm continue until it caused the debtor to step out of his house and approach him, to inquire “what the hell are you doing?” Then, the RPS gave him his serving papers, and said you have been served. Sometimes, you just have to let them come to you.
Story 2: The RPS was attempting to serve a (judgment debtor) restaurant owner, who had his staff consistently deny he was in the country.
The RPS called to set up an appointment to meet with the debtor to talk about the possibility of the restaurant catering 50 guests at his upcoming party. The debtor was quick to set up an appointment for Saturday at 2 PM.
The RPS showed up early, and the restaurant gave him a free drink. The debtor soon showed up. When presented with the subpoena papers, he said “It’s not me!” The debtor then showed his drivers license to the RPS.
The name on the debtor’s license was one of the several DBA names previously approved by the court, using a previously filed affidavit of identity. The RPS said “that is you, and you are served. Thank you for the drink”.