Posted by Greg Guess on 3/7/12 1:39pm
Msg #414186

Process Serving

Have been contacted by several out of state attorneys wanting me to "sign up" with their law firm to serve papers to clients. Was just wondering if anyone out here is doing that to supplement their income. thanks!!

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 3/7/12 1:46pm
Msg #414187

Re: Process Serving...check with your state

special licensing and/or certification, education may be required together with court approval

http://www.ftc.gov/os/comments/debtcollectroundtable3/545921-00025.pdf

Not something "just a notary" can do

Reply by ME/NJ on 3/7/12 1:49pm
Msg #414188

Re: Process Serving...check with your state

Police do it around this area, unless I had a permit to carry a gun no way. I'm sure 99% of the time no issues, but all it takes is one bad apple. Plus pay to serve is not much and you need to do a lot of homework sometimes to track them down.

Reply by Barb25 on 3/7/12 2:31pm
Msg #414193

Re: Process Serving...check with your state

Probably smart thinking. One bad apple is all it takes. There was just a Deputy Sheriiff shot and killed here in Florida yesterday when she stopped and pulled over a car yesterday. Very bad. How can you ever know.

Reply by Lee/AR on 3/7/12 2:33pm
Msg #414194

Very good national info, Linda. Good job & thanks! n/m

Reply by NJDiva on 3/7/12 2:57pm
Msg #414201

Yeah, it can definitely be dangerous...

if someone's getting served, it's not necessarily a good thing. Did you ever see that show with the process servers? They get threatened, berated and sometimes people get violent. I agree about having to be "packin" to do this type of work.

It can be dangerous enough doing what we do depending on the areas we service. I did a closing for two NYC police officers the other night and one of them told me I should absolutely be carrying pepper spray at the very least. He thought he had a key chain and went to get it for me but he didn't have it. He said he's going to send it to me.

I think I'll pass on these.

Reply by 101livescan on 3/7/12 3:55pm
Msg #414207

Are you a big guy, can you run fast? Any martial arts training....I don't think I could do this. The other morning I was posting a foreclosure and a huge pit bull charged me. Since I'm experienced with facing the local CA black bear, in a panic I remembered to act LARGE AND IN CHARGE. I thought I was going to wet and/or soil my drawers, but as I raised my arms to flail them in the air, the dog turned around and ran in the opposite direction whining. What the heck was that all about? He was just a weany.

It could have been different. He could have attacked me, torn a limb off, aimed for my face. What a close call that was. I got to my car and shook for several minutes.

Process serving, you go everywhere you're told too. It could be compromising. I looked into it, there is a high turnover.

You'd need some backup, I think...and balls of steel. While I have more balls than most, I wouldn't tread here.

Reply by LKT/CA on 3/7/12 6:51pm
Msg #414232

Re: Process Serving - Cheryl

Take a 4 ft. walking stick with you next time. I deal with dogs daily, in my job. The stick is used to keep a 4 ft. distance between you and the animal. Don't swing side to side....just point it at their muzzle. Continue being "large and in charge" and wherever their muzzle goes, the end of the stick follows. You can use the stick like a pool cue and jab at the dog. I've been charged by bulldogs, german sheps, great danes, and plenty of ankle biters. If the dog runs into the stick, no one can accuse you of injury to the dog because you simply kept the distance by pointing the stick at the dog - you have a right to defend yourself from someone's unleashed beast. And even if the dog gets injured,....it's the dog's fault for running into the stick, not yours.

In addition to the stick, take a sprayer bottle - adjust it so a jet of water comes out instead of a shower of water. Fill bottle with one part water, one part white vinegar. Aim for the dogs snout and eyes. They hate it!

Reply by ikando on 3/7/12 7:25pm
Msg #414238

Re: Process Serving - Cheryl

I've also heard about using an umbrella (the kind with the button to auto open), and have seen Cesar Milan use a tennis racket. Basically anything you feel comfortable using to keep the dog at bay.

I do like the spray idea, but with arthritic hands, don't know that I'd be able to maneuver it, and might end up spraying myself.

With regard to process serving, those in my area who do it are off-duty Sheriffs or police officers. And the pay is low--about $25 average for 2 attempts whether they actually receive the service or not. Not worth the time or fuel for me.

Reply by 101livescan on 3/7/12 10:27pm
Msg #414259

Thanks for the hot tips....I had my digital camera and roll of magnetic tape in both hands, felt kinda helpless except for my voice and rage at this scary animal.

I did have a market umbrella pole in my car which was parked 20 feet away so I could have just jumped into or onto my car if necessary, like Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible or Keanu Reeves in MATRIX.