Best practices when making a choice between process serversProcess Server

Hiring a process server

1. Ask around: Getting a referral will help cut down your work. It can help you find someone reliable who charges a reasonable fee. Contact a law firm and ask to speak with a paralegal. Introduce yourself to that person and ask who they use to serve papers in the Minneapolis, St.-Paul area.

2. Consider service area: Look for process servers that cover an extensive area of a state. Occasionally if a respondent knows they are being sued, they will hide from service or try to leave their regular area. Ask about the fee involved or if there are additional fees. No one likes to see a surprise charge on their bill.

3. Pricing: Consider what legal services you get for the price. What extra features, if any, are offered? It is okay to shop around. However, remember how important it is to effectuate proper service in your court case. Make sure that you are paying a reliable civil process service company.

4. Service for clients: The old adage that you get what you pay for is true even in the legal industry. You need your Minnesota process service handled in a fast and efficient manner. You want to choose a legal services provider that offers good communication before, during, and after service.

Should you hire a process server or use the Sheriff?

ServeNow created a graphic representation, of data gathered from 100 paralegals, legal assistants, and legal administrators who have papers served regularly. The results were based on speed of service, customer service, knowledge of laws, success rate, and average cost.

Preferred Provider

Use Process Server: 78%

Use Sheriff: 19%

Speed of Service

Process Server: 90%

Sheriff: 10%

Customer Service

Process Server: 4.28 / 5

Sheriff: 2.55 / 5

Knowledge of Laws

Process Server: 58%

No Difference: 29%

Sheriff: 13%

Success Rate

Process Server: 92%

Sheriff: 74%

Average Cost

Process Server: $53.99

Sheriff: $39.58

Only a $14.41 difference

The Winner is…

The Process Server