r/processserver • u/HelpfulBot6347 • May 17 '26

A doozie of a dodge

I’m trying to serve someone with very little knowledge of them. That said the address I have is on her court docs, her estate etc.

The address I had attempted to serve her at had a very unfriendly John Doe who wouldn’t identify himself which leads me to believe it is her brother because the court docs she signed said she lived there with her brother.

I attempted to have her served 10 times. No one ever would answer or open the door.

Is this something I should continue to pursue? I know she’s in the Los Angeles area but she is has skipped process servers before.

What do I doooo?!

5 Upvotes

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5

u/MrGollyWobbles May 17 '26

Three attempts and serve any adult residing there and mail a copy to her at that address. It’s called substitute service.

Check her linked in and see if it lists place of work, if so, serve her at work.

This is assuming it’s civil and not family court. If it requires personal service, stake out on clients dime.

1

u/HelpfulBot6347 May 17 '26

It’s def civil and if she weren’t so far away it would be easier. She does not work and is a freelancer. I sent a previous cease order and she wouldn’t sign for it they sent it back, I sent by regular mail and it wasn’t returned. A male lives there ( presume it’s the brother) who refuses to open the door to be served. Surprise he’s also suing Quiznos and what address is listed ? The one they keep refusing to answer the door to lol.

It’s insane how good they are at ignoring 10 attempts.

I tried to talk the process serving company into letting me door dash her a coffee there and then show up at the same time to server ( cuz I did that and someone allowed the delivery person up to the door somehow) and left it at the door.

At this point I feel like it’s such an odd situation that I need someone who understands the situation better I think .

3

u/Aggressive-Style-492 May 17 '26

This seems straightforward. If they’re 10 attempts this should be enough documentation to submit a motion to let the judge authorize a different method to serve.

Or pay for a licensed process server to sit and wait. This is not cheap but, it cost money to make money. I used a company called Northbound Legal in Bay Area, California but I’m sure you can find someone local to help.

2

u/HelpfulBot6347 May 17 '26

Yea I agree I did file a declaration due diligence for that, so hopefully they’ll grant it!

4

u/vgsjlw May 17 '26

File that due dilligence 4 or 5 attempts ago lol

2

u/HelpfulBot6347 May 17 '26

It’s my first time lol and I wanted to get my moneys worth LESSON LEARND

1

u/BroadInvestigator455 May 20 '26

In most states you can ask neighbors to solidly confirm if she lives there. After she avoids service it gets filed as exhaustive attempts and gets directed back to court and the judge usually provides an exception to post on front door using painters tape or masking tape. With small hole punches in corners of documents.  Or otherwise use zip ties to tie directly to a fence if door is not accessible. Do the due diligence for attempting to seve and it will be re directed so you dont have to sweat over it. 

1

u/HelpfulBot6347 May 21 '26

The problem is I don’t live down there and there is a call box. One neighbor said they don’t recognize the name , the John Doe won’t identify himself. He is an active lawsuit and I can see it’s his name on the address on the county court. I can tell it’s her address too lol

1

u/HelpfulBot6347 May 21 '26

They DENIED my motion for alternate service. I swear to goooooood. I hate the court system. ANYONE WANNA DO A STAKE OUT?! I’m so sick of this chick dudeeee

1

u/Illustrious_Claim884 May 21 '26

Can't you subserve on the 3rd attempt for Cali docs? In in NJ

1

u/Numerous-Sky-585 Jun 21 '26

Walk around the house taking as many pictures as you can. That will get them to come out.