Process serving requires much more than the delivery of paperwork to an identified person. Successful process servers maneuver through hostile encounters, dodgy defendants, and tight legal deadlines every day. Therefore, it requires a specific set of personal as well as professional traits in order to prosper in this profession. In this blog, veteran process servers provide eight key characteristics for career-long-term success. Each trait separates the excellent process servers from those who struggle and eventually quit.
Trait One: Single-minded Persistence & Patience
Persistence is the single most important traits of any successful process server that needs to be developed. Some defendants actively avoid service by hiding, moving away from the location, or refusing to answer doors. A successful process server does not give up after one or two failed attempts. Instead, they come back at various times, try new approaches, and exhaust all possibilities. Patience goes along with persistence as some serves take days or weeks of repeated effort. Successful process servers know that tough serves eventually succeed with sufficient determination.
Trait Two: High Level of Awareness of Details
Serving legal documents requires absolute precision with every aspect of the assignment. It only takes one error on a proof of service to render an entire legal proceeding to no avail. Successful process servers check the names, addresses, physical descriptions, and deadlines very carefully before attempting to provide service. They make sure to double-check each and every document to ensure there are correct page counts with correct case numbers. Attention to detail also means accurately recording dates, times, and descriptions of each attempt. Courts use these records to ensure that servers performed service according to all the legal requirements.
Trait Three: Effective Communication Ability
According to 88.5% of surveyed process servers, good communication is among the top skills. Successful process servers explain their purpose in a calm manner when their recipients are confused or upset. They also provide regular updates to attorneys and clients regarding the status of services. Clear written communication is just as important because affidavits have to be precise and professional. A process server who is not a good communicator risks damaging client relationships and case outcomes. Effective communication creates trust between the process servers, the law firm, and their clients.
Trait Four: Quick Thinking in High-Pressure Situations
Every seasoned process server finds himself in unexpected situations in which immediate decisions need to be made. A defendant may suddenly run away, refuse to admit who they are, or become physically aggressive. Successful process servers are fast thinkers and adaptors, able to think on their feet and change their tune in seconds. They may give up one plan and make a new strategy at the last moment. This mental agility distinguishes successful process servers from those who freeze under the stress of pressure. Quick thinking also helps servers identify safety threats before they escalate.
Trait Five: In-depth Legal Knowledge
Successful process servers need to know the rules relating to service of process in their jurisdiction. Rules differ from state to state with regard to service methods, timeframes, and allowable substitutions. A knowledgeable process server guarantees that each and every service meets the correct legal quality for acceptance for service by a court. Ignorance of local rules can lead to cases being thrown out and to expensive waiting for the client. Successful process servers review current regulations and take part in continued education opportunities on a regular basis. This legal basis helps the process server as well as the client to avoid avoidable errors.
Trait Six: Levels of Resourcefulness and Creativity
Resourceful process servers think about creative solutions when the standard approaches do not work. To get evasive defendants safely, they might dress up as delivery drivers. They research social media profiles, public records, and neighborhood contacts in an attempt to gain useful leads. Skip tracing skills assist viable process servers in locating people who have moved or vanished. A resourceful process server adjusts location, time, and presentation to enhance rates of success. This creative problem-solving ability makes the difference between completed and failed serves.
Trait Seven: Professional Composure And Circumspection
Process servers frequently face rude, angry, and verbally abusive defendants on service. Keeping calm, polite composure in stressful situations is absolutely necessary in terms of safety and success. Losing temper or responding with aggression affects situations and may turn them into dangerous physical confrontations. Discretion helps keep confidential information on cases, clients, and defendants from being made public. Successful process servers act ethically, no matter what the reaction of the recipient is. Professional composure can also help keep process servers safe from false accusations and legal complaints.
Trait Eight: Reliable Work Ethic Time Management
Successful process servers handle multiple cases at the same time while dealing with tight court deadlines. They prioritize urgent services and arrange the daily routes in such a way as to be the most efficient and productive. Reliable process servers appear at the appointed time and follow through on commitments, and actually deliver results. This profession involves a lot of getting up early in the morning, working late at night, and saving weekends without complaining. A hard work ethic attracts repeat business from law firms and legal departments on a regular basis. Process servers who are not good with time miss deadlines, lose clients, and destroy professional reputations.
Conclusion
These 8 traits define every successful process server who flourishes in this challenging profession. Persistence, attention to detail, and communication form the basis for excellent service. Quick thinking, legal knowledge, and resourcefulness help process servers rise above difficult complications. A professional attitude and dependable work ethic maintain a long-term career and client trust. The act of developing these traits takes time, practice, and a truthful commitment to the profession.
Contact our professional process servers to ensure your business receives proper legal document delivery services today. Our experienced team exhibits all 8 traits with professional service in serving court papers. Reach out and discuss the needs of our process servers to handle your legal service needs.
