The Registered Process Server's Guide to Service of Process in California, 2nd Edition
The most definitive guide to service of process in California covers all aspects of service papers in California and is current through 2005.  The 2005 updates may be viewed here. The guide is written from an entrepreneurial perspective for process servers and private investigators who are in the business of serving process.  It also serves as a reference book.  This guide is specific to California law so it may have limited applicability to other states unless you serve California legal documents. The book also contains topics that have universal relevance to process servers in any state, such as the definitions, what to do before, during and after service, stakeout techniques, safety techniques, tools of the trade, IRS 20 common law factors determining independent contractor status of workers, recordkeeping, and how to start and maintain a business as a professional process server.
This guide is included with our process serving Seminars.  The book retails for $50.00, plus tax and shipping.  The seminars are $85.00 and include the book and additional seminar materials.
 
Partial Table of Contents

What is a Registered Process Server?
 
•   Definition of a Registered Process Server and its special legal status

Manners of Service
 
•   Personal and Substituted Service of Summonses on all Types of Defendants
•   Alternative Manners and Methods of Service
•   Service by Mail
•   Services on Opposition Counsel and Parties who are In Pro Per
•   Three and Thirty Day Notice Services
•   Service by Fax

Special Service Requirements of Specific Documents

Process Serving Suggestions
 
•   What to Do Checklist Before Commencing Service
•   What to Do Checklist During Service
•   What to Do Checklist After Service
•   Suggested Tools of the Trade
•   Stakeout Techniques
•   Safety and Defensive Techniques

Field Skip Tracing Techniques
 
•   Where to Start
•   Sources for Locating Persons and Business
•   Public Records

Documents Defined

What the Documents Accomplish in the Civil Process

Words, Phrases and Legal Terms
 
•   The Language of the Law with Definitions from a Process Server's Perspective
•   Process Server Jargon

What Record a Process Server Should Keep

Suggested Format for Keeping Process Serving Records

Independent Contractor and Employee Status
 
•   IRS 20 Common Law Factors for Determining Independent Contractor Status of Workers
•   California 14 Common Law Factors for Determining Independent Contractor Status of Workers

Tax Reporting Requirements for Process Servers and What is Deductible
 
•   Tax Reporting Responsibilities for a Small Business

Business Formation in California

How to Start and Maintain a Business as a Professional Process Server

Appendix Section
 
•   The California Process Servers "Industry Special Tax Regulation"
•   Frequently Asked Questions About the Registered Process Server Law
•   Exemplars of Proof of Service forms
•   Blank California Proof of Service form
•   Blank Declaration of Diligence form
•   Service by Publication Exemplar Supporting Declaration and form with Blank Application and Order forms
•   Service by Posting of Unlawful Detainer Summons Exemplar Application and Order with Blank Application and Order forms
•   Updates (Note: you may view or download this year's updates to the book on the 2004 Updates page, or purchase a cumulative copy to update all editions of the book for $20.00.) Current Updates, Rules of Court, Proof of Service exemplars and Updated Judicial Council forms are included with all purchased books.

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