Our Response to COVID-19

Check our Service Status by Location Map for the latest updates.

We are re-opening geographies as soon as we can positively answer our 3 critical requirements:  

1. serving process must be safe and not spread the virus, 
2. law firms have control which cases to resume when, and 
3. process servers should not face penalties for serving.   

The first requirement, safety, was fully deployed in early May.  This includes safe handling and delivery training, certification, and protective equipment procurement across our entire process server network. 

The second requirement, your ability to choose which cases go, suspend, or cancel, is ready to go today for all customers.  We rapidly developed, deployed, and tested this new software specifically designed to support your controlled roll-out as we open fulfillment. 

The final requirement, no penalties, is going to be unique state by state and even county by county.  We expect most states will be open by the middle of May.

Yes, we will fulfill your job up to the point where we can, which in most states includes filing your case but holding service. 

Once this state is open for active service deliveries you will be prompted to continue this job.  If the state is already open, the service will continue without interruption. 

Not necessarily. Of course states will open if shelter orders are removed but our underlying criteria beyond safety and your ability to control when and what to re-start is confirmation that our process servers will not face fines or penalties.

We anticipate opening service in states, counties, and cities that continue to enforce shelter orders where we've affirmatively determined that our process servers will not face fines or penalties.

No.  Your explicit authorization is also necessary to resume suspended services. We have added online features giving you the ability to find jobs on hold, understand whether they can be resumed, and resume or cancel individually or as a batch.

Step-by-step instructions: How to Find and Manage Jobs Suspended during Covid-19

We understand and applaud the many firms who will continue to pursue their clients’ long-term interests by determining that this is not the appropriate time to resume service in all cases.   

None of your suspended cases will restart automatically.  You can use the new action item to resume cases individually (or in batch) if and when you and your clients are ready.

Step-by-step instructions: How to Find and Manage Jobs Suspended during Covid-19

For additional protection, consider configuring a custom client-based suspension schedule: Client Protection Against Premature Service

ABC will hold invoicing on files suspended due to COVID-19 until after the suspension has been lifted.  Either the jobs go back out for a complete round of service attempts and are invoiced upon completion or the service is cancelled and invoiced for work-to-date upon cancellation. 

Yes.  We have modified ABC Mobile to allow process servers to quickly and accurately report physically distanced service and proofs of service will reflect the new protocol.   Learn more.

Here are a few screenshots from the latest ABC Mobile release:

Yes.  Every process will receive training, certification, and necessary supplies to follow the Safe Service Procedure prior to resuming service.

Absolutely.  We are encouraging all process servers to adopt these practices to protect themselves and others.   

You can download a PDF of the full policy here or from your compliance.  Or share the this page: abclegal.com/covid-19.

Sealing the service documents in air-tight plastic coverings serves two purposes:

First, the plastic protects the service documents during service at a distance, which requires the documents be set down and retrieved rather than handed directly to the recipient.   Without the covering, the documents could be damaged by exposure to the elements, as during service in inclement weather with no dry surface on which to safely set the documents.

Second, the recipient has the option to discard the plastic covering and wash their hands, confident the contents within have not been recently exposed to viral matter.

You can place an order by logging into your account at abclegal.com. Once you are in your customer account, select “Place Order” to begin.

Sign in to your account, and select “Make Payments” to access the epay portal. From there, you can make a one-time payment.  Or, select “Recurring Payments” to set up or change your payment method.

Customers need to have at least one payment method saved before they can setup recurring payment.

To add a payment method: Go to Wallet and Add New Payment Method.

Select either Credit Card or E-Check -> Enter info -> Save.

You can use your saved payment method to pay for invoices online or set up recurring payments.

COVID-19 Court Closures - Docketly, and ABC Legal Company

Courts Offering Telephonic Appearances - Docketly, an ABC Legal Company

Coronavirus: The Latest Court Closures And Restrictions - Law360

Roughly 65% of nationwide court documents are managed digitally – our capacity to process digital documents (including filing and e-dispatch) is 100%.   Our API-based e-filing and automated electronic document handling software requires no physical presence . . . it lives securely in the cloud and is operating at 100%.

The remaining 35% of nationwide court documents, which requires physical handling, are being disrupted on several levels – including: USPS, UPS, FedEx, and local shelter-in-place orders.  ABC has staff handling physical documents who are working in isolation.  This allows ABC to adhere to strict shelter-in-place orders while continuing fulfillment operations.

As a customer you can help by uploading services digitally on abclegal.com rather than sending in physical documents. 

ABC Legal is happy to report that route service in WA will resume on Tuesday May 26^th, the day after the Memorial Day Holiday.  We had to revise our earlier date due to the Governor’s order.

ABC couriers will be provided with masks and additional equipment to ensure safe interactions with your office staff. The safety of our customers and employees is the most important concern as we return to work.

The entirety of the invoice for May route service, issued on April 24^th, will be fully credited.  ABC is providing route service for free in the last week of May as a thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.

A small, but growing staff is still available for any special delivery you might have.  Please call 206-467-7000,  email and attach pleadings to exd@abclegal.com, or upload documents directly through your ABC web portal at abclegal.com.