What was your experience using a process server?
CAquietcreek1 month ago
My lawyer said I can't hand the papers to my spouse myself. Has anyone here used a process server? Was it expensive?
Please readThis is a community space for sharing personal experience — it is not legal advice, and posts here are not from Lawma or your attorney. We strongly encourage you to post under an anonymous handle, keep questions general, and avoid posting private details of your active case. For advice about your own situation, message your attorney.
2 replies
✓ Verified answer from a licensed attorney — shown first
Family-law attorney in LA County. The reason your lawyer asks you not to serve the papers yourself is that the law requires service by someone over 18 who is not a party to the case. If you do it yourself, the case can be tossed at the very first hearing — and that's a procedural error that's expensive to unwind. $90-$150 is typical for a basic family-law service. If your spouse is hard to find, the price goes up. The thing to ask the server for is the completed Proof of Service (in CA, FL-115) — that's what gets filed with the court, and it's what makes the clock start.
j_ramos1 month ago
I used one. It was around $90 and they handled everything. Way less stressful than I expected.
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Please readThis is a community space for sharing personal experience — it is not legal advice, and posts here are not from Lawma or your attorney. We strongly encourage you to post under an anonymous handle, keep questions general, and avoid posting private details of your active case. For advice about your own situation, message your attorney.