Understanding the Protocol of Serving Papers on Holidays
Navigating the legal system is already complex, but around the holidays, things get just plain crazy! Schedules are backed up, people are on vacation, and it can feel like things are moving at a snail’s pace. At Accurate Serve of Charlotte, serving process and providing other auxiliary legal services in North and South Carolina, we are here to shed some light on how the serving process works this time of year.
Federal Holidays and Service of Process
Under federal law, there are specific holidays recognized across the United States, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, to name a few. The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure do not explicitly forbid the service of papers on these holidays. However, it is generally considered good practice to avoid serving papers on these days out of respect for individuals’ personal and family time.
State Regulations: North Carolina and South Carolina
In North Carolina and South Carolina, there are no state-specific rules prohibiting the service of process on a holiday. Even though it is technically allowed, it is not considered good practice to serve on a holiday. You must also consider that all courts and pretty much all businesses will be closed on holidays, so filing an affidavit of service won’t be possible.
Ethical Considerations and Best Practices
While the law may not always explicitly forbid the service of papers on holidays, ethical considerations play a significant role. At Accurate Serve® of Charlotte, we believe in respecting the dignity and personal time of individuals. Therefore, we typically avoid serving papers on major holidays unless there are compelling reasons or specific court orders that necessitate such actions.
Navigating Holiday Service with Professionalism
If you require service of process around the holidays, our team is adept at navigating these nuanced scenarios. Our experience ensures compliance with legal requirements while also respecting ethical considerations. We offer various services including:
- Process Service: Timely and efficient delivery of legal documents
- Document Retrieval: Accessing and obtaining necessary legal documents
- Skip Tracing: Locating individuals for process service
- Diligent Searches: Thorough investigations to locate hard-to-find individuals
Trust Accurate Serve® of Charlotte to handle all your process serving and legal support needs!