Some people go quiet when they get a court summons.
They stop answering the door. They park around the corner. They pretend they’ve moved, changed jobs, and disappeared entirely. While it might feel petty or immature, the consequences for you—the person trying to move your case forward—can be serious.
Whether you’re involved in a custody battle, civil claim, or small claims dispute, proper service is non-negotiable. The court can’t act unless the other party has been officially notified. And when that party is actively avoiding you, it’s not just frustrating. It’s a legal roadblock.
This is where hiring a professional matters more than ever.
Professionals know how to work around avoidance.
Avoiding service is more common than people think. Some defendants will peek through blinds and wait you out. Others will have a relative pretend they’re not home—or deny they even live there. We’ve seen cases where people parked their car several blocks away just to keep up the illusion.
But professionals don’t spook easily. They use strategic timing, discreet observation, and legal tools like stakeouts and skip tracing. They know the difference between an honest mistake and deliberate evasion—and they know how to collect the evidence that proves it.
Failing to serve someone can seriously harm your case.
If service isn’t completed properly and on time, here’s what can happen:
- You miss a court date. Without official notice, the other party isn’t legally required to appear. And the court may reschedule or dismiss your case altogether.
- Deadlines pass. Some filings are time-sensitive. If service isn’t made within a set window, your legal right to pursue action might expire.
- You lose leverage. If a defendant claims they never got the papers, and there’s no proper documentation to prove otherwise, the judge may side with them—even if it’s not true.
In other words: sloppy service doesn’t just delay your case. It can sink it.
Documentation matters and professionals deliver it.
You’re not just paying someone to hand over papers. You’re paying them to create a legal paper trail.
A licensed process server provides an affidavit of service, time logs, and other proof that confirms the defendant was properly notified. If the other side tries to deny it later, your documentation holds up in court.
And if they can’t be served after multiple attempts? A professional will help you show the court that you made every reasonable effort—opening the door for alternative service methods.
At the end of the day, getting someone served isn’t about confrontation. It’s about closure.
If someone’s avoiding responsibility, the worst thing you can do is wait and hope they come around. The legal system can’t help you until they’ve been formally notified. And that only happens with proper, documented service.
At Sly Fox Investigations, we specialize in tracking down defendants who don’t want to be found. If you’re dealing with someone who’s avoiding the door, the phone, and the truth, we can help you move forward, legally and confidently.
Don’t let avoidance stop your case in its tracks. Reach out today, and let us serve them so you can focus on what comes next.