Frequently Asked Questions

Service of process is the legal procedure by which a party to a lawsuit gives appropriate notice to another party, typically the defendant, by delivering legal documents such as a citation, petition, subpoena, or court order. In Louisiana, service of process is governed by the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure, Articles 1231 through 1293. Proper service is essential because a court cannot exercise jurisdiction over a person who has not been properly served.

Under Louisiana law, process can be served by the sheriff of the parish where service is to be made, or by a private process server who is of legal age (18 or older) and is not a party to the action. Many attorneys and law firms prefer to use private process servers like Vermilion Parish Process Service because we often provide faster turnaround times and more flexible scheduling than the sheriff's office.

We serve all types of legal documents in Louisiana, including citations and petitions, subpoenas (both civil and criminal), temporary restraining orders (TROs), protective orders, eviction notices (notice to vacate), divorce and child custody papers, writs of attachment and seizure, demand letters, corporate notices, and any other documents that require formal service of process.

Our standard service rates start at $75 for routine service within Vermilion Parish, which includes up to three service attempts. Rush and same-day service, skip tracing, and service outside our primary coverage area may incur additional fees. We provide transparent, upfront pricing with no hidden charges. Visit our pricing page or call (337) 291-4058 for a detailed quote for your specific needs.

Most routine service in the Abbeville and Vermilion Parish area is completed within 1 to 5 business days. Same-day service is available for urgent matters when documents are received early in the day. Factors that can affect timing include the availability of the person being served, the accuracy of the address provided, and whether the individual is avoiding service. We make multiple attempts at varying times to maximize the chance of successful service.

If we are unable to serve someone after diligent attempts, we will provide you with a detailed affidavit of non-service documenting all attempts made. Louisiana law allows for alternative methods of service in certain situations, such as domiciliary service (leaving documents with a person of suitable age and discretion at the individual's residence) or, with court approval, service by publication. We can also provide skip tracing services to help locate individuals who have moved or are difficult to find.

An affidavit of service (also called a return of service or proof of service) is a sworn, notarized document prepared by the process server that details the specifics of how service was completed. It includes the date, time, and location of service, a description of the person served, the manner of service, and the documents that were delivered. This affidavit is filed with the court as proof that the opposing party was properly notified of the legal action.

While our office is based in Abbeville, we provide process serving throughout a wide area of southwest Louisiana. Our regular service territory includes all of Vermilion Parish (Abbeville, Kaplan, Gueydan, Erath, Delcambre, Maurice) as well as nearby parishes including Lafayette Parish (Lafayette, Youngsville, Broussard), Iberia Parish (New Iberia), Acadia Parish (Crowley, Rayne), and Jefferson Davis Parish (Jennings). Contact us for service in other areas of Louisiana.

In most cases, yes, the documents must be filed with the appropriate court before they can be served. However, some documents like demand letters and certain notices do not require court filing. If you are working with an attorney, they will typically handle the court filing. If you need assistance understanding the process, we are happy to explain the steps involved, though we cannot provide legal advice. We can also assist with filing documents at the Vermilion Parish Courthouse and other local courts.

Getting started is easy. Simply call us at (337) 291-4058 or provide the documents and service details to our office at 100 N State St, Abbeville, LA 70510. We need the documents to be served, the name and address of the person to be served, any known information about the individual (physical description, vehicle, work schedule), and your contact information for status updates. Once we receive your documents, we will begin the service process promptly.