I have a case in my file, where a defendant we were attempting to serve in Florida, was located in Pa. I found the Pro-Vest return of service in the court file from a mortgage foreclosure, and contacted the defendant who related to me that he was divorced, and that his ex-wife (our co-defendant), still lived in Florida.

What I found intersting was the “rest of the story.”

The defendant stated that “a guy” (process server) came to the house, with foreclosure papers for he and his wife.
He advised the server that they were divorced, and that she was living in Florida, and currently on Active Duty with the Air Force, stationed at MacDill AFB, Tampa, Fl.
He stated that the server continued to server both copies to him regardless.

The affidavit indicates that the parties (Defendant and Co-Defendant) are “MARRIED”, and that neither party is on Active Duty with the United States Military.
I suggested to the defendant that he contact an attorney, and have them move to quash service based on ineffective service. I didn’t follow up, so I have no idea how it all ended.

We contiunued on and served the Defendant/ex-husband in PA, and the Co-Defendant/ex-wife in Florida.

What the server did, was not only unprofessional and unethical, it was ILLEGAL.
The same applies to the Forida server.

They have both provided false information in the form of an affidavit/return of service to the courts, period!
Both servers should have their licenses revoked, and be criminally prosecuted for perjury!

Unfortunately, all of these cases are the direct result of greed on several levels.

The company is well known for underpaying and overworking process servers.
From multiple conversations I’ve had with those that do or did serve for Pro-Vest, the demands and time constraints placed upon the servers on residential; services, were unreasonable and did not lend themselves to a true diligent effort and professional service on behalf of the process server.
If/when the server could not meet the demands, the threat of discontinuing work would then be raised by the company.

The servers however, have only themselves to blame for this mess.
As long as servers are willing to whore themselves out at sub-standard rates, and be taken advantage of by the likes of Pro-Vest, and “mills” like them, this sort of problem will continue to exist.
Pro-Vest is mentioned here, but there are several “process service mills” still out here, some spin offs of Pro-Vest, others simply their own “mill”, doing the same thing that Pro-Vest did/does.
Low pay, unreasonably high expectations. It’s a formula that does not work for anyone other than the parent company (Pro-Vest, etc).

Over the years, when interviewing a potential server or contractor, I ask them if they do/did work for any of the companies known to me to operate in this fashion. If the answer it yes, I generally thank them for their time and discontinue the conversation, without offering them the work.

I simply don’t want people with that mindset, that money over people and professionalism matters, working for/with me!!

Many servers and smaller agencies, would set aside or backburner work from other, smaller clients, to ensure that the Pro-Vest work was handled first.
Due to the massive volumes generated, the vendor would become “addicted” and later, sometimes after losing smaller accounts because of it, couldn’t afford to lose the account. After all, losing the income generated by Pro-Vest, may mean the difference between remainign in business or closing the shop.

While contacted several times over the last several years by representatives from Pro-Vest, stating that they were “expanding” in our area (hell, they’re based here-LOL), I have always refused their offer. Having some idea what they were charging the clients (having read court files, etc), and what they wanted to pay, it wasn’t worth it.

There is simply not enough time in the day/week, to handle the volume, along with the “requirements” as set forth by the company.
At some point, something obviously has to give. It is usually the quality of the service that suffers.