I have a past renter that moved out and owes me back rent, damages, cleaning services, and fines. The sheriff has not been able to serve the summons to the past tenant at her residence; apparently she is avoiding the issue and not answering the door. She's knows I am after her for past money due. What is the cheapest way to go about finding where she works so she can be served the summons there? She got married and bought a home with her husband. I know where he works but that does not do me much good if the sheriff has to hand her summons in person.

Thanks,
Greg

You do know where she lives though?

Sometimes, in some states, a subpoena served by regular mail, along with a copy sent via certified mail return receipt requested will suffice. Have you checked out that route yet?

Many states will consider that as proper service.

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Originally Posted by thiansky

I have a past renter that moved out and owes me back rent, damages, cleaning services, and fines. The sheriff has not been able to serve the summons to the past tenant at her residence; apparently she is avoiding the issue and not answering the door. She's knows I am after her for past money due. What is the cheapest way to go about finding where she works so she can be served the summons there? She got married and bought a home with her husband. I know where he works but that does not do me much good if the sheriff has to hand her summons in person.

Thanks,
Greg

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I have run into this scenario on occasion - eventually she has to leave the house so depending on how much money is involved pay a process server to sit down the street and wait for her to come out. Also the Sheriff should advise you if there are other options - nail and mail, sub service, etc. In NYS the only summons that must be personally served is in a matrimonial action.

If you want to know where she works, sit outside her home and follow her to work, that is the cheapest, next and best, hire an investigator to do it.
Also see if your state allows private service, as a off duty officer I used to serve all types of paper work for the courts. We loved to pretend, be pizza delivery people for some, but our favorite was in "bad" areas pretend to be bail enforcement, the people knew they were not wanted for skipping bail and would show us all their id to prove who they were. So we knew we then served the right person