Service of process is a critical component of the legal system, ensuring that all parties receive proper notification about pending legal actions against them. However, locating individuals or businesses involved can often be a daunting task. Skip tracing, an invaluable and underutilized tool, can dramatically enhance the efficiency of the service of process. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of skip tracing and how it can make serving legal documents a more streamlined and stress-free experience for attorneys and their clients.
Skip tracing is a nationwide record search technique utilized to find a party’s current whereabouts. This process involves cross-referencing names, previous addresses, and other relevant information, such as birthdates, against public records. Debt collectors, private investigators, and attorneys typically use skip tracing to locate individuals who may be deliberately avoiding service of process or have moved without updating their contact information.
Benefits of Skip Tracing in Service of Process
Traditionally, litigators file a diligence with the court and request alternative means of service, such as service by publication, when they cannot locate the party involved. This method can be time-consuming and slow down litigation. By contrast, skip tracing enables attorneys to quickly identify the intended recipients of legal documents, saving valuable time and resources.
Skip tracing can offer a more cost-effective solution for attorneys and their clients. Hiring a process server or requesting alternative means of service can be expensive, particularly if the party in question is difficult to locate. By leveraging skip tracing, attorneys can reduce expenses associated with failed service attempts and the need for alternative methods.
Skip tracing enhances the likelihood of successful service of process by providing up-to-date contact information for the intended recipient. This is especially valuable when serving legal documents to individuals or businesses that have a history of avoiding service or frequently changing their contact information. By ensuring that the process server has accurate information, skip tracing can improve service of process success rates, allowing litigation to proceed smoothly.
Incorporating skip tracing into the service of process workflow enables attorneys to focus more on the actual litigation and less on the logistical challenges associated with locating parties. This can lead to a more streamlined and efficient legal process, ultimately benefiting both attorneys and their clients.
Conclusion
Skip tracing is a powerful tool that can significantly enhance process serving by saving time, reducing costs, and improving success rates. By embracing this underutilized method, attorneys can overcome the challenges associated with locating parties and ensure a more efficient and stress-free litigation process. With skip tracing at their disposal, attorneys and their clients can navigate the legal system with greater confidence and ease, knowing that the service of process is in capable hands.
