Oklahoma Process Server Discusses Finding Process Servers to Deliver Court Documents
Tulsa, Okla. (PRWEB) April 16, 2008 -- When court documents and summons need to be delivered in a timely manner, most lawyers turn to process servers. Unfortunately, choosing the wrong process server can hold up the entire legal process, leading to added court costs and an inflated bill for clients. They could even be sending a criminal to the doors of unsuspecting citizens.
For example, in Denver, Colo., a state process server turned out to be a registered sex offender. The man had pleaded guilty in 2002 for molesting two boys in 1993, but was delivering subpoenas for the state of Colorado as recently as November 2007.
Scott Malan of Malan Investigations (http://www.malanprocessservice.com/) offers tips for lawyers on how to find process servers who will get the job done correctly.
One of the first things Malan recommends is finding somebody who belongs to a nationally recognized association.
"You want a licensed process server who's bonded, belongs to a professional organization, and does the job full-time," Malan said. "That's the only way you'll get the best service."
Most nationally recognized associations require at least two years of experience and three recommendations from judges, lawyers and other members before they'll allow a process server to become part of the association. These associations have bylaws and rules of ethical conduct for its members.
"Twenty-five percent of the process servers in Oklahoma work full time, and maybe 10 percent of those belong to a national organization," Malan said.
Choosing a full-time process server also ensures your documents will be delivered on time.
"A lot of people take up process serving as a second job to make some extra money nights and weekends," Malan said. "Unfortunately, you can't always serve people at night and on weekends."
Skip tracing is another important thing to consider when looking for a process server. If that person has moved or gone into hiding, process servers need to be able to track them down.
Another thing Malan says to consider is response time. Process servers should respond to client inquiries quickly. Clients should know their court documents are being served in a timely manner. If problems arise, they should expect to be notified.
"Time is money, and both are valuable," said Malan. "You deserve to be kept up-to-date on the status of the papers the servers are handling. If you're not currently receiving these services, then your process server is not helping you spend your time and money wisely."
Malan also suggests finding a process server that doesn't try to hide the final cost of serving papers. Some process servers may not count expenses like mileage in their initial pricing, which can put the client in quite a bind when the bill comes.
"They shouldn't be trying to hide any extra costs in there," said Malan. "Ask them upfront if the price they've given you includes mileage. The price you hear initially should be the price you pay at the end."
For more information about process serving, visit Malan Investigations online at http://www.malanprocessservice.com/
About Malan Investigations
Malan Investigations is a private investigative and professional process service agency based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Malan Investigations was established in 2001 by Scott Malan, a retired Master Sergeant in the United States Army. Malan Investigations is fully bonded, insured, and licensed by the state of Oklahoma. Their services include private investigations, professional process service, personal protective services (executive level protection / body guard), skip tracing and background/pre-employment checks. Malan Investigations is a proud member of the Oklahoma Private Investigators Association (O.P.I.A); National Association of Professional Process Servers (N.A.P.P.S) and Servenow.com
Press release provided by Xeal Inc. (http://www.xeal.com)
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