Ever wonder who is serving the documents you send to ABC Legal? In this blog series, we'll be shining a spotlight onto some of our star process servers and the amazing work they do.
Jay Hines, 45, has been a process server for over 3 years, and has been working with ABC Legal for 2 years while serving the Atlanta, Georgia area. Prior to serving, Jay grew up in Jackson, Alabama. Outside of process serving, Jay spends his time traveling, cooking, and fixing up cars. His current passion project is a Fiat Spider.
Jay recently took time out of his busy schedule to tell us more about his life and career as a process server.
What drove you to get started as a process server?
One of my friends is a lawyer and she said ‘Hey, you could do this. I think it is a good idea, you could process serve and be a private investigator for me'. So, I started with a few different law firms. Then I got in with ABC because they had the volume that I need to make it a career.
Are there any legal requirements to work as a process server in your state?
In Georgia, technically no, but yes. You go through a process server course, which takes about 2 days. [After the course,] you take a test and become a certified process server. [Next,] you get certified through a sheriff’s office and get a badge saying that you’re a certified process server. Then you go to each county and some counties let you become a permanent process server. And it depends on the court - magistrate, superior, and state - which ones let you become a permanent process server, so you don't have to do an affidavit every time you want to serve, and which ones don’t.
Are you a permanent process server?
In a lot of counties, yes, I am.
What training and/or support have you received from ABC Legal?
Just the way everything is set up, the app makes everything very clean and easy. I like the way everything is run with ABC - that’s why I stick with ABC. You just print it out on your printer at home, get everything organized, you don’t have to go anywhere to get forms and such - ABC is the best one.
As a process server, what does it take to be successful in meeting requirements?
I just read what is on the document and do what it says. It helps me to know if they own the house or car or anything. That way if they say they don’t live there, I have something to back it up with.
What precautions do you take to keep yourself safe?
I don’t argue with people. There is no confrontation. If they want to argue, [you] just walk away. Get in your car and leave. There's no back and forth. There’s nothing you need to say to them. You don’t need to make any remarks. You just need to ask the questions you can and ask as politely and nicely as you can. Always be super nice. Sometimes that doesn’t work - people are going to be angry and you just walk away.
What training and/or support have you received from ABC Legal?
Just the way everything is set up. The app makes everything very clean and easy. I like the way everything is run - that’s why I stick with ABC. You just print out [the documents you need to serve] on your printer at home and get everything organized. You don’t have to go anywhere to get forms and such - ABC is the best one.
Tell us something about you that not many people know.
I make really good Neapolitan pizzas. I can make anything. I make different pizzas, cookies, whatever you want.
Jay Hines is a superstar when it comes to quickly and successfully completing each job, effectively meeting all (customer, court, & ABC’s) requirements, and submitting completed proofs of service, and ABC Legal values his work.
If you are interested in hearing more process server stories, then subscribe to our blog. In need of service of process? Order online today. Want to work as a process server? Contact the recruiting team to learn more today.
About ABC Legal
With more than 2,000 process servers across the U.S. and 75 countries, ABC Legal is the nation’s leading service of process and court filing provider, as well as the Acting Central Authority to the U.S. Department of Justice. Our digital approach saves valuable time and resources, and our cloud-based solutions are compatible for use on desktop, browser, and smartphones. Docketly—an ABC Legal subsidiary—provides appearance counsel on a digital, custom-built platform that smoothly integrates with our applications and services. Learn more at www.abclegal.com.
Learn More
What Do Process Servers Do?
Becoming a Process Server with ABC Legal Services
