My son has not seen or heard from his father in 4 years. He lost all rights to him in the divorce due to violence. He had to be served by publication since he refused service. I have not been able to obtain an order for support because he dodges service. Every where I turn is a dead end. We live in Florida, he is in Tennessee. Help!

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Originally Posted by jennblack2

My son has not seen or heard from his father in 4 years. He lost all rights to him in the divorce due to violence. He had to be served by publication since he refused service. I have not been able to obtain an order for support because he dodges service. Every where I turn is a dead end. We live in Florida, he is in Tennessee. Help!

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If your question is whether service by publication is legal service, there are several factors but, yes, it is.

What is your question?

I own a process service company - he does not have to be personally served. Only his last known address or a responsible adult has to be served. What does the process server tell you about the problems he/she is experiencing?

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Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

If your question is whether service by publication is legal service, there are several factors but, yes, it is.

What is your question?

I own a process service company - he does not have to be personally served. Only his last known address or a responsible adult has to be served. What does the process server tell you about the problems he/she is experiencing?

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He won't answer the door. Sheriff has given up. It has been 4 years and I can't even get a judgement for support because I can't get service. If I got service, I could get a judgement and move forward. I can't afford a private one. I can barely pay the bills. I have been told that if I were on government support (food stamps, medicaid, etc) I would be a "priority case" but since I am self sufficient it seems it doesn't matter if I get support or not. No one cares. No one will help. I am slowly drowning in debt and he's getting away with this. I need to know if there is something else that can be done other than service? Can I file a child abadonment warrant? He already has a warrant here but since it's a misdemeanor they won't extradite...

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Originally Posted by jennblack2

He won't answer the door. Sheriff has given up. It has been 4 years and I can't even get a judgement for support because I can't get service. If I got service, I could get a judgement and move forward. I can't afford a private one. I can barely pay the bills. I have been told that if I were on government support (food stamps, medicaid, etc) I would be a "priority case" but since I am self sufficient it seems it doesn't matter if I get support or not. No one cares. No one will help. I am slowly drowning in debt and he's getting away with this. I need to know if there is something else that can be done other than service? Can I file a child abadonment warrant? He already has a warrant here but since its a misdemeanor they won't extradite.....

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Then there is something wrong in the Sheriff's Department. It sounds like you're in a terrible spot. Unless he's left your children at a bus stop he didn't abandon them - legally.

He will either have to be served by publication or by someone who actually knows how to serve papers. What is happening is unexcusable.

I've spent nights in front of houses, waiting for people to go to work, get the mail, get in their car. I've served in supermarkets and at work and at front doors and at friend's houses. Everyone can be served if you try hard enough.

I'd get an affidavit from the Sheriff about the attempts at service and ask for service by publication.