Requirements to be Considered

The role of process servers is important because serving legal papers the wrong way can affect the timeline and outcome of legal proceedings.

Available evenings when most people are home

• Responsive to clients by phone and email (law firms and process serving companies)
• Legally competent adult over 18 years old
• Not be a party to the legal case
• You must learn the craft (many without training come and go)
• Able to learn the Michigan Rules of Civil Procedure
• Professional, assertive, and empathetic approach
• Able to provide proof of funds to support the asking price
• Available to take over within 30 days

1. What are the challenges in this business?

Some challenges include finding recipients, uncooperative recipients, language barriers, and  time constraints. The key is to learn from an experienced mentor like the Seller and remain professional while ensuring legal documents are delivered.

2. How can I grow a team? 

Once you have mastered the craft and learned how to generate more business, you may consider growth through partnering or hiring.  As with any business, the owner is responsible for employees and their effect on the business and reputation, so you must be selective and willing to mentor others. When a team runs smoothly, you can leverage others to do the serving while you keep a percentage (30-50%) for generating business, customer service, administration and ensuring good work. While the Seller works alone, other process servers have this business model.

3. Do I need insurance?

Business insurance is recommended for any business. The Seller carries E&O insurance (process servers must fill out proof of service forms) and general business insurance. Together, the Seller pays approximately $600 annually for insurance.

4.Is a legal or law enforcement background required?

The Seller does not have any law enforcement experience. He is a previous owner of printing and 1-hour photo businesses. That said, a background or interest in law could be useful in this role.

5. Who is the ideal person to take over this business?

Great candidates for this business could be those looking to supplement their income, those with time in the evenings and weekends, someone organized and responsive to emails and phone calls, someone who is retired or semi-retired, someone with another business or day job. People with local evening delivery or driving jobs may have a synergy with this business.

6. Is there competition?

The Seller estimates there are less than 10 process servers in the Traverse City area. The keys to getting jobs are reputation, responsiveness, knowledge, and being found by attorneys and process serving companies. During training, the owner can provide guidance on how to establish key relationships and build your business.

7. When do I get paid?

Payment timing depends on the customer and it ranges from getting paid in advance to getting paid months after the job.

8. What happens if I spend time and cannot locate the recipient?

You will still get paid in most cases although some firms are leaning to not paying if the recipient is not served.

9. What percent of assignments get completed? 

95% of recipients are served within 3 attempts. The Seller can train on how to be selective with jobs and efficient with delivery.

10. Is it difficult delivering bad news? 

“I take the nicest possible approach and treat people with respect.”.

11. Is a uniform, vest, or badge required? 

“I dress to blend in, casual with sneakers and able to move.  Some process servers like to be more formal but I don’t believe standing out is the way to go.”

12. Is the job dangerous?

The job has risks but can be reasonably safe depending on geography and your approach. In this job, you cannot be timid  or aggressive. Just be respectful and assertive.

13. Who are the clients, and are there any large clients?

The Seller estimates that 60% are law firms, 35% are process serving companies, and 5% are individuals representing themselves. There are no large customers that may cause a risky customer concentration issue.

Requirements to be Considered

The role of process servers is important because serving legal papers the wrong way can affect the timeline and outcome of legal proceedings.

Available evenings when most people are home

• Responsive to clients by phone and email (law firms and process serving companies)
• Legally competent adult over 18 years old
• Not be a party to the legal case
• You must learn the craft (many without training come and go)
• Able to learn the Michigan Rules of Civil Procedure
• Professional, assertive, and empathetic approach
• Able to provide proof of funds to support the asking price
• Available to take over within 30 days

1. What are the challenges in this business?

Some challenges include finding recipients, uncooperative recipients, language barriers, and  time constraints. The key is to learn from an experienced mentor like the Seller and remain professional while ensuring legal documents are delivered.

2. How can I grow a team? 

Once you have mastered the craft and learned how to generate more business, you may consider growth through partnering or hiring.  As with any business, the owner is responsible for employees and their effect on the business and reputation, so you must be selective and willing to mentor others. When a team runs smoothly, you can leverage others to do the serving while you keep a percentage (30-50%) for generating business, customer service, administration and ensuring good work. While the Seller works alone, other process servers have this business model.

3. Do I need insurance?

Business insurance is recommended for any business. The Seller carries E&O insurance (process servers must fill out proof of service forms) and general business insurance. Together, the Seller pays approximately $600 annually for insurance.

4.Is a legal or law enforcement background required?

The Seller does not have any law enforcement experience. He is a previous owner of printing and 1-hour photo businesses. That said, a background or interest in law could be useful in this role.

5. Who is the ideal person to take over this business?

Great candidates for this business could be those looking to supplement their income, those with time in the evenings and weekends, someone organized and responsive to emails and phone calls, someone who is retired or semi-retired, someone with another business or day job. People with local evening delivery or driving jobs may have a synergy with this business.

6. Is there competition?

The Seller estimates there are less than 10 process servers in the Traverse City area. The keys to getting jobs are reputation, responsiveness, knowledge, and being found by attorneys and process serving companies. During training, the owner can provide guidance on how to establish key relationships and build your business.

7. When do I get paid?

Payment timing depends on the customer and it ranges from getting paid in advance to getting paid months after the job.

8. What happens if I spend time and cannot locate the recipient?

You will still get paid in most cases although some firms are leaning to not paying if the recipient is not served.

9. What percent of assignments get completed? 

95% of recipients are served within 3 attempts. The Seller can train on how to be selective with jobs and efficient with delivery.

10. Is it difficult delivering bad news? 

“I take the nicest possible approach and treat people with respect.”.

11. Is a uniform, vest, or badge required? 

“I dress to blend in, casual with sneakers and able to move.  Some process servers like to be more formal but I don’t believe standing out is the way to go.”

12. Is the job dangerous?

The job has risks but can be reasonably safe depending on geography and your approach. In this job, you cannot be timid  or aggressive. Just be respectful and assertive.

13. Who are the clients, and are there any large clients?

The Seller estimates that 60% are law firms, 35% are process serving companies, and 5% are individuals representing themselves. There are no large customers that may cause a risky customer concentration issue.