1. What to Expect:

• Service of Process Expectations – We make up to 4 diligent attempts to serve your documents within 24 to 72 hours of receiving your documents. Service is NOT GUARANTEED! Our work product is the Return of Service per party, per address, per case. Our goal is to obtain a successful serve on the first attempt, however multiple attempts, or no service may occur. We do not serve on Sundays or major holiday. We reserve the right to suspend service due to safety concerns such as inclement weather, civil unrest, or rioting. 

• Return of Service Affidavit – We will document the successful serve, all diligent attempts to serve the party, or documentation on why there is no reasonable expectation to obtain service at that address.

• Documentation – We document who the sever spoke with and details of the conversation. We attempt to speak with neighbors and apartment managers to confirm if the subject still lives at this address, and the best time to reach them.

• We Are Not Attorneys – Anything we discuss is for information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.

 

2. Types of Service defined:

• Regular Service – 1st attempt at service is made 48 to 72 hours after the documents are received and payment is tendered. 1 diligent attempt is made every 2 to 3 days. It can take up to 12 days for all attempts to be made. 

• Rush Service – 1st attempt at service is made 24 hours after the documents are received and payment is tendered. 1 diligent attempt is made every 24 to 48 hours. It can take up to 8 days for all attempts to be made.

• Same Day Service – 1st attempt made by 9 pm that day. 1 diligent attempt made every 24 to 48 hours. It can take up to 6 days for all attempts to be made. Documents and payment must be received by 3:00 pm that day.

• Waiting – If you wish for us to wait for an opportunity to perfect service, we charge an hourly fee of $95 per hour with a 2-hour minimum, in addition to our regular fees. This fee needs to be paid prior to the start of any waiting. We retain the right to refuse waiting assignments due to location, and scheduling.

• Exceptions – We do not serve on Sundays, major holidays, in cases of severe weather, or during times of civil unrest/rioting. We reserve the right to extend service days for these circumstances.

• On-Demand Attempts – If you are aware of a time that may help us find our subject at an opportune time, please let us know as soon as possible. We will make a reasonable effort to accommodate it, if provided with 24-hour notice. We do not guarantee the ability to make on demand attempts. Please know it is difficult for us to accommodate anything less than 24 hour notice due to our route planning.

 

3. Diligent Attempts Defined:

• Evening – One attempt between 6 pm and 9 pm.

• Morning – One attempt between 8 am and 11 am.

• Ad Hoc – One Saturday attempt, and/or 1 other attempts at various times.

• No Sunday or Holiday Service – We do not serve on Sundays or major holidays to refresh and enjoy time with our family.

• Exceptions – We will serve on an exception basis between 9:00 pm and 7:00 am Monday through Saturday, additional fee of $75 will apply.

 

4. Return of Service Affidavit:

• After Service – we will email you a draft copy of the return of service affidavit to review for corrections.

• Your Approval – Once we receive your approval, we will execute the final return of service affidavit sent via email. 

• I Need Original Singed Copies in Blue Ink – Please let us know your return email advising us of affidavit approval. The original will be sent by regular Untied States Postal Service mail, with a scanned copy sent via email. If you wish for expedited delivery of the physical copy, you will need to provide us with a pre-paid label addressed to you from your courier of choice.

• I Need a Notarized Affidavit – Please let us know your return email advising us of affidavit approval if you require a notarized affidavit. The original will be sent by regular Untied States Postal Service mail, with a scanned copy sent via email. If you wish for expedited delivery of the physical copy, you will need to provide us with a pre-paid label addressed to you from your courier of choice.

 

5. Non-Serve Affidavit:

Of course, our goal is to successfully serve on the first attempt. However, if a successful serve is not attainable, you will receive a Non-Serve Affidavit documenting all diligent attempts, or information why there is no reasonable expectation that service can be completed.

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6. Payment:

Payment is expected to be made prior to any attempts of service and can be paid by the emailed invoice sent to you after the documents were received by us. Any additional fees will be discussed and authorized by you with confirmation by email.

 

7. Cancelation Policy:

You may cancel service at any time. Refunds will only be issued if service is canceled prior to the first attempt.

PLEASE NOTE:
We may be in the field. To ensure a timely cancellation prior to an attempt, ALL cancellations must be sent in writing via email to info@penningtonlegalinvestigations.com followed by a phone call to 214-493-0908.  

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8. Communications Policy and Promise:

I do my best to pick up the phone the first time, however due to various reasons, it does not always happen. Please leave me a message and I PROMISE I will call you back as quickly as I can (usually within an hour unless I am in a bad cell phone area). I try not to let messages sit overnight. If you are trying to reach me after 5:00 pm, or on a Saturday, please text or email me first. I may be spending time with my family. I promise, I will call you back as quickly as possible! Sundays are my day off; I will return calls at my discretion.

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9. Threats or Acts of Violence:

Our safety is paramount. In volatile situations we will de-escalate and walk away if possible. When threats, or acts of violence occur, all service attempts will cease with the appropriate affidavit (Return of Service, Affidavit in Support of Request for Alternative Service, or Return of Non-Serve) will be issued, detailing the attempt(s). We will not make any future attempts. Additionally, we reserve the right to call local law enforcement and file a criminal complaint when this occurs.