Do Process Servers Work Weekends? – What You Need to Know

Most process servers work on weekends to provide flexible services in order to reach recipients at the best possible time. They go beyond their standard Monday through Friday delivery hours to accommodate clients’ particular needs.

This adaptability of process servers is more valuable in time-sensitive situations and when approaching recipients who are hard to locate. As a business owner, an attorney, or an individual, you must know how process servers are flexible with their schedules and whether they work on weekends or not. Their availability can make a big difference in meeting legal deadlines and smooth proceeding of a case.

On-Call Legal Process Servers specializes in reliable and efficient services tailored to your needs, no matter the day or time. If you’re facing a legal deadline or need service of process urgently, our experienced team is ready to help. Contact us for a free consultation and ensure a hassle-free process service!

In this post, we’ll cover serving documents on weekends and how it benefits legal cases. We will also go through other vital factors like availability, costs, and legal requirements as well.

Do Process Servers Work Weekends?

Process servers often work on weekends because serving legal documents isn’t always a nine-to-five job. Sometimes, weekends are the most practical and effective time to reach recipients. Let’s break down why weekend service is common and how it fits into the process server job with normal business hours.

General Practices

Not all process servers serve on weekends, but most of them are flexible with their schedules. Serving papers on weekends can be more effective because people are more likely to be at home. Additionally, serving papers during the weekend can reduce awkward situations when a person try to evade service. Weekend service allows for a more private and respectful approach, often leading to smoother interactions.

Clients’ Needs

Clients sometimes require urgent personal service to meet legal deadlines of time-sensitive cases. Also, courts may have strict rules about when certain documents must be served, and missing a deadline can have serious consequences. Offering weekend service gives clients peace of mind that their case won’t be delayed because of missed process serving. That’s why people prefer reliable and efficient services on weekends.

Jurisdictional Differences

Rules about serving legal documents can be different depending on the jurisdictions’ right to due process. Some states have more specific regulations about process servers than others. Also, some have restrictions on weekend or holiday services, such as Florida, New York, Texas, etc. 

So, understanding these differences is essential for process servers and law firms. They must know the local laws and adapt their schedules to ensure compliance. In jurisdictions where weekend service is allowed, working on weekends can be a significant advantage in timely completing process services.

Standard Working Hours for Process Servers

The working hours during which a process server serves legal documents differ according to their duties and local regulations. The Monday-to-Friday schedule is common, but process services require flexibility to deliver legal documents successfully. 

Usually, should a process server attempt service, it would be during standard business hours, between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday. These hours are convenient for office-related tasks like receiving assignments, submitting paperwork, and coordinating with clients. However, serving legal documents is not always limited to these normal business hours.

Would a Process Server Serve Papers at Night?

Process servers can serve legal papers at night or work odd hours as long as they comply with the local laws of specific states. Many jurisdictions have no restrictions on serving documents after standard business hours. Night service is especially useful for locating individuals who are unavailable during the day.

However, some states or jurisdictions may have specific court order about the times when documents can be served. For instance, California allows process servers to deliver papers at night but must avoid disruptive behavior. 

Are Process Servers Available to Deliver Documents on Holidays?

State laws and urgency of the case matter for the holiday services of process servers. In many areas, process servers can serve papers on holidays if necessary. This is especially true for time-sensitive cases where deadlines are approaching.

However, not all jurisdictions allow process service on holidays, and some recipients may refuse to accept documents on those days. In the US, 39 states allow holiday or Sunday services, but 11 states still don’t allow them. Therefore, a private process server must stay informed about local rules and coordinate with clients to determine the best approach for weekend or Sunday service.

What Are Process Servers and What Do They Do?

Process servers are responsible for delivering legal documents to persons or parties involved in a court case. The legal documents include subpoenas, summons, complaints, and other legal notices. The service of process makes sure that everyone involved in a legal matter is properly informed about court proceedings. Therefore, it’s in process servers’ best interest to stay informed, compliant and vigilant throughout the process.

The role of process servers is vital for the justice system to move forward with legal proceedings. When someone is served with legal documents, they can respond and participate in the case. Without processing services or informing all involved parties, the court cannot proceed further. Process servers help protect individuals’ rights by ensuring they are properly notified. 

Being a process server isn’t as simple as just handing over papers to someone. Their job often comes with challenges. One of the biggest concerns is tracking down individuals who may not want to be found. Some people may be avoiding service, which means process servers must use persistence, creativity, and even investigative skills to locate them.

Another challenge is the working hours. Process servers often work outside business hours because many people are hard to reach during the day. This means process servers have to visit homes in the early morning, late evening, or even on weekends.

Benefits of Weekend Process Serving 

Weekend process serving offers several advantages for both process servers and their clients. Here are these benefits in more detail:

Higher Success Rates

People are more likely to spend time at home on weekends, which is the most important point for process serving. Many people are busy at work or attending appointments during the whole week. On weekends, people are often at home relaxing or spending time with family. This gives process servers a much better chance of completing their task on the first attempt.

Greater Recipient Availability

Serving legal documents at someone’s workplace can be awkward and disruptive on weekdays. It may embarrass the recipient or draw unwanted attention in front of coworkers. The weekend process avoids this issue by reaching individuals in the privacy of their homes. This approach is more respectful and convenient for the recipient, which can make the process smoother and less stressful for them.

Flexible Client Service

For clients, weekend process serving is a game-changer. Legal cases often come with tight deadlines and missing one can cause delays or harm the case. Offering weekend service means process servers can meet critical deadlines, even when time runs out. This flexibility can be especially helpful when documents need to be delivered immediately.

What Happens if the Recipient Can Not Be Located on Weekends?

Sometimes, a recipient cannot be located on weekends, even with a well-planned attempt. This can happen for various reasons, but it doesn’t mean the process server should give up. Instead, they follow specific re-attempt policies and explore alternative strategies to ensure the documents are delivered. Let’s review what happens in these situations here in short answer:

Why Are People Hard to Reach on Weekends?

Although weekends are often the best time to serve papers, there are still reasons a recipient might not be reachable. Some common examples of these scenarios are: 

• Travel or Vacations: The recipient might be out of town for leisure or personal reasons.
• Erratic Schedules: Individuals with unusual work hours or personal commitments may not be at home during the typical weekend serving window.
• Avoidance: In some cases, the recipient may actively avoid being served, making themselves harder to locate.
• Unknown or Changed Address: The process server might go to the wrong location if the person has moved without updating their address.

Re-Attempt Policies of Process Servers 

Process servers often make additional attempts when a recipient cannot be found on the first attempt. Re-attempt policies vary but usually include multiple visits to the same address at different times of the day. For example, if someone isn’t home on a Saturday morning, the private process server may return later that evening or the following day. 

This persistence increases the chances of locating the recipient. Process servers carefully track these attempts to demonstrate their effort, which can be essential if the case reaches court.

Alternative Strategies

If weekend home visits don’t work, process servers may turn to alternative methods like serving at work. Process servers can try serving legal documents at the recipients’ workplace. This is often an effective option but must be done discreetly to avoid disrupting the workplace or embarrassing the recipient.

Process servers may visit places the recipient is known to frequent, such as a family member’s home, a gym, or a social club. In substituted service, the documents can be given to another responsible adult at the recipient’s home or workplace. 

Legal Considerations

When a recipient cannot be located, the process server must document every attempt thoroughly. This includes:

• The date, time, and location of each attempt for process service.
• Details about why the attempt was unsuccessful, such as no one answering the door or the address appearing vacant.
• Any alternative strategies used, such as substituted service or workplace delivery.

This information serves as proof of service that the process server made a reasonable effort to deliver the papers. In some cases, if a recipient cannot be found after multiple attempts, the court may allow certified mail or publishing a notice in a newspaper.

How to Hire a Process Server for Weekend Service

Hiring the right process server for weekend service requires careful planning and consideration. For this, weekend availability can make a big difference in meeting deadlines and ensuring a smooth legal process. 

Some people may know how to hire a process server for their urgent requirements, but many still require a brief overview of the essential factors for weekend service. Here’s how to find a reliable process server to deliver results when it is urgent.

Key Factors to Consider When Hiring Weekend Service 

When hiring a process server, keep the following factors in mind:

• Experience: Choose a process server with a proven track record of service of process. Experienced servers are more likely to handle challenges effectively, such as locating hard-to-reach recipients or managing time-sensitive cases.
• Availability: Not all process servers offer weekend services. You will need to ask upfront if they can work on Saturdays, Sundays, or other holidays if necessary.
• Service Area: Confirm that the process server operates in the area where the papers require service of process. Some servers specialize in specific regions, so choose one that is familiar with the recipient’s location.

Confirm Specific Weekend Availability and Fees

Before hiring, it’s essential to ask specific questions about the availability and fees of weekend service. Weekend service of process may incur extra charges due to extended hours or increased demand. Be clear about pricing upfront to avoid surprises.

Moreover, ensure the server understands the urgency of your situation and has a plan to prioritize your case if needed. A skilled process server should have strategies for dealing with difficult cases, such as multiple attempts or alternative delivery methods.

Verifying Credentials and Reputation

To ensure you’re hiring a reputable and certified process server, you can follow these steps:

• Check and Verify Credentials: Contact and verify that the process server is licensed, bonded, or registered, as your state laws require. This ensures they meet legal and professional standards.
• Read Reviews: Look for online reviews or testimonials from previous clients. Site like Google or specialized legal directories can provide insights into their reliability and performance.
• Ask for Recommendations: Find referrals from attorneys, legal professionals, or friends who have used process servers. Word-of-mouth recommendations for service of process are often dependable.

Clear Communication About Timelines and Urgency 

Clear communication is vital when hiring a process server. You should provide all necessary details to avoid delays or misunderstandings. This essential information includes: 

• The recipient’s name, address, contact number, and any relevant information that may help locate them.
• Deadlines or court-imposed reasonable times for serving the documents.
• The level of urgency for your case and whether multiple attempts may be required.

Online Reviews and Recommendations 

In today’s digital age, every established business has its online presence to attract potential clients. You can search online for reliable process servers in your area. Also, consider the reviews and recommendations of trusted people should you require service.

For a reliable process server who can handle weekend service promptly, contact On-Call Legal Process Servers straight away. You can easily secure availability, verify credentials, and communicate your needs. Choosing an experienced and dependable professional ensures your legal documents are delivered on time, even during tight deadlines.

Is the Weekend Process Serving More Expensive?

For some valid reasons, weekend process serving can be more expensive than weekday service. Additional costs of process servers apply due to the increased difficulty of locating individuals on weekends or the need for extended hours. The charges for weekend service can range from $100 to $300 extra, depending on the location and complexity of the case. However, always confirm pricing upfront and ask for a detailed breakdown of costs for every service of process.

How Many Attempts Will a Process Server Make to Serve Documents?

Usually, process servers make multiple attempts to deliver legal papers. It is also based on the situation and the terms of their service agreement. Process servers have a set number of attempts in their fee, but they are flexible in adjusting their strategy to ensure successful delivery. Get ahead with essential aspects of process serving attempts: 

Standard Number of Attempts

In most cases, a process server will make three to five attempts to serve legal documents. These attempts are usually spread out over different days and times to increase the chances of finding the recipient. A server might try to serve the intended recipient early in the day if they suspect the person is home before work.

Evening visits are common, especially for individuals more likely to be at home after work. However, weekend attempts are particularly useful for reaching recipients who are unavailable during weekdays. These attempts are planned strategically, considering the recipient’s known schedule, address, and other details provided by the client.

Factors Influencing the Number of Attempts

Several factors can affect how many attempts a process server makes. Like, if the recipient works longer than reasonable hours or has an irregular schedule, process server will serve them at the right time with attempts. In some cases, the recipient may actively avoid being served. This requires the process server to get creative with timing and locations.

Some jurisdictions have rules dictating the minimum number of attempts a process server must make before pursuing alternative methods. These state laws ensure a fair attempt service is made to serve process in person.

What Happens If All Attempts Fail?

When a process server is unable to locate the recipient after the standard number of attempts, he uses alternative strategies to complete the job. Some common alternative approaches include:

• Skip Tracing: Skip tracing involves using investigative techniques to track down a recipient who has moved or is hiding. This can include searching public records, contacting known associates, or using databases to locate new addresses.
• Serving at an Alternate Location: If the recipient avoids service, the server may attempt to deliver the documents to a workplace, family member’s home, or another known location. Workplace serving is a common fallback when home attempts fail, as you’re more likely to find them during working hours.
• Substitute Service: In some cases, documents can be delivered to another responsible adult at the recipient’s residence or employment. This method depends on certain circumstances and local law
• Court-Approved Alternatives: If all else fails, the process server can get court permission to mail the documents or publish a notice in a local newspaper.

Searching for Reliable and Experienced Process Servers?

Most process servers work weekends to meet the unique needs of their clients. This approach improves success rates and meets legal deadlines on time. Moreover, the flexibility of work helps legal proceedings move forward without delays and avoid a default judgment.

For reliable process services on weekends, you can hire experienced professionals after verifying their credentials and confirming their availability for weekend services. At On-Call Legal Process Servers, we’re committed to providing reliable, efficient, and flexible service tailored to your needs. 

Our team of process servers in California provides quick weekend service, assistance with a difficult-to-locate recipient, or urgent document delivery. Contact us to handle the complexities of serving legal documents so you can focus on what matters most—your case with peace of mind.