Frequently Asked Questions

Last Updated: November 2022

I have been unable to deliver the service documents. Do I need to call the phone numbers provided on my coversheet?

Yes. If there are phone numbers for the subject listed on a job’s coversheet, you should use them to log phone attempts in ABC Mobile. Calling these available numbers can help you collect additional residency information, or set up a more favorable time and place to meet the subject for service.  

I'm not able to attempt an address due to weather conditions. What should I do?

This can easily be done by entering the information in ABC Mobile, by selecting the following options you can also refer to the Resource Page:

1- Select date and Time of Activity

2- Select "Nobody" when asked "Who Did you Speak With at Address?"

3- Select "Nothing" when asked "What Did You Observe at Address?"

4- Select "Nobody" when asked "Who Else Did You Speak With?"

5- Select "No Access" when asked What Happened at Address?"

6- Select the most appropriate option based on the conditions (Impassable Road, Flood, Fire, Storm, or Other"


Snow: If unsafe snow conditions are keeping you from going to the address, select Impassable Road.

Hurricane: If unsafe conditions in your area are preventing you from going to an address, select Storm.

 

Will I receive a 1099 from ABC Legal?

You will only be issued a 1099 if you have made at least $600 in income with ABC Legal in the last calendar year.

When will I receive my 1099?

You should anticipate receiving your 1099 by the end of January. Keep in mind, all 1099s are being mailed from Seattle. So depending on your location, and potential Postal Service delays, it’s possible you may not receive your Tax Documents until early to mid February.

Can I have my 1099 emailed to me?

No. The option to have your 1099 electronically sent to you will NOT be available this year, so please make sure to Contact ABC if you need to confirm that the mailing address we have on file is correct. This way we can work to ensure your 1099 is mailed to the appropriate address.

Can I claim jobs and areas that are further away from me?  

Yes! You can adjust the radius of the jobs and areas that show available to you by selecting the "More" icon, located in the bottom right corner of the Home screen, and then "Preferences" and "Claiming Distance".

Adjust Job Radius

When do I get paid if I am on direct deposit?  

Pay is sent out every business day!  

When do I get paid for submitting a proof?  

If you are on direct deposit, proofs that are signed and returned will be included on your payment notification the next business day. Then it's up to your bank to complete the transaction and show those funds in your account. Funds usually become available in 1-3 business days. 

When are payment notification emails sent out? 

Payment notifications will generally be sent out later in the day, so make sure to check your email for this pay document throughout the day. 

How can I submit feedback to ABC Legal?  

Make suggestions on improvements that can be made to ABC Mobile or submit general feedback using the Process Server Feedback form. We look forward to enhancing your experience with ABC Legal!  

The subject is bedridden, should I still serve them?  

Yes. Unless the location of service is one of the following: 

  • Nursing Homes 
  • Assisted Living Facilities  
  • Hospice Care Facilities 

If you are informed the subject is bedridden or ill at home and NOT located at the locations mentioned previously, then attempts to serve should resume. 

Do overdue proofs keep me from getting more work?

Yes. We need proofs back as soon as you can get them to us, and the longer proofs sit overdue the more your Capacity will be impacted. 

I claimed this at a set rate. Why did I only get paid half that?

Same day same address: If multiple jobs are resolved at the same address on the same day, the first one will pay out in full, and any others will be paid out at 50%.

TX Alt-Service: You will be paid half of your service fee once diligence is complete and you return the signed motion. Then, upon completion of the service - you will be paid the second half.

What is Community?

This is a forum where you can get to know other ABC Legal process servers and participate in group discussions. It is already linked to your existing profile so there is no need to create an account.

Get assistance and collaborate with other process servers by pressing "Community"!

Customer rules state not to serve at subject’s place of employment and the service address is a business. What should I do?

Enter this information in ABC Mobile, selecting:

  1. Attempted
  2. Other
  3. Service not permitted

Can I E-Sign proofs from my computer?

Yes! Just log in to the Process Server Portal, select “My Jobs”, “Proofs”, and then “E-Sign” on any proofs you wish to complete. You can also view all your other proofs and their return instructions.

How do I complete training and update credentials

Just go to your Process Server Portal. Once you log in, select “Profile” to upload any documents or complete training.

What should I do if a job is pending review?

You do not have to take any action. If you see this instruction in ABC Mobile, then we are already looking at the order and you should have a proof to sign or further instructions shortly.

I’ve previously attempted this address for a different order and the subject does not reside, do I have to attempt this location again?

Yes, attempts should be made on every job, regardless of prior information obtained from past orders. However, you can indicate that you have previously tried to serve this address before in your attempt notes. Check out the Non-Service page for common non-service scenarios.

A resident stated that the subject does not reside, what next? 

The more sources that can confirm the subject does not reside at the address, the better. So make sure to check with a neighbor or leasing office to see if they can confirm with certainty that the subject does not reside. This goes a long way to help resolve orders.

Remember to always call any phone numbers provided on the cover sheet or in ABC Mobile and log the call.

Will Stopping Auto Dispatch remove my current work?  

No. Stopping Auto Dispatch in ABC Mobile pauses new work from being automatically sent to you and prevents you from using Claim Jobs.

If you need any work reassigned, let us know at Contact ABC.

What should I do if I find a new address? 

First, record how you got the information by submitting an attempt or a phone log.

Then, before making attempts at the new location, add the address in ABC Mobile. If you are unable to add a new address in the app, it is likely because it’s not allowed.  

Check out the New Addresses and Meeting Locations page for steps on how to add an address in ABC Mobile.  

Why can’t I print “In Transit” documents?  

In transit documents can not be printed from your web portal because they are original documents and are being mailed to the address we have on file for you.  

Why is an area is no longer assigned to me?

Your Assigned Areas can and will be claimable as long as you are exceeding your Capacity. If you would like to prevent them from being claimed it would be advised to drop zip codes that are currently too far so that you can ideally work in a much more condensed and efficient area. For more on Capacity see the Manage Areas page.

Why can I not leave contact information or contact the subject via phone? 

You might see this customer requirement on an order. Servers should always abide by both customer and court requirements. Consistently meeting these order requirements will result in an improved scorecard.

How do I start serving with ABC Legal?  

Register through our user friendly portal: ABC Legal Process Server Registration

Once you complete the first few steps in the registration you will receive further information about the next steps to take. We look forward to your Partnership with ABC Legal! 

Why has my work slowed down?  

Too many overdue jobsWork will pick back up once you have attempted all of your overdue orders. 

Expired credentialsCheck your profile in ABC Mobile to see what is expired. Then submit updated credentials via Contact ABC or the Support button.  

Poor performanceCheck your latest scorecard email to see your performance and read about how to improve

Slow down in your area: It is possible there is just a lull of work in your areas at this time.  

My attempt didn't go through. What do I do?

Refresh ABC Mobile, then check the order's history to see if the information is there. If not, then no worries, just re-submit it.

If you have significantly moved your position you may receive an Incomplete notification saying your GPS must match the expected location. That's okay, we understand that these things happen. Just respond with the explanation that the original attempt didn't go through the first time.

A defendant called me and gave me additional information, what do I do?

If someone calls you regarding a job, open the job, click the telephone icon to the right of their name, and enter the phone number and information that they gave you.

Watch a detailed video on how to record phone calls: Logging Phone Attempts.

How do I prioritize all these different instructions in ABC Mobile?

In the following order: Court, Customer, ABC Mobile. For a more in-depth answer see An Order's Requirements

Does my state have specific rules I need to follow?

It's quite likely. Find out by checking the State Specific Information and Policies page.  

What do I do if I don't have good data coverage in my area?

Before you enter an area with poor coverage set your device to airplane mode, then submit any serves or attempts as you normally would, pressing confirm at the end. All this information will be stored on your device: pictures, the time the event occurred, and the time you entered the information. When you are in an area with good coverage again take your device out of airplane mode and everything will be submitted normally.

A defendant wants to meet me somewhere. What should I do?

First, record how you got the information by submitting an attempt or a phone attempt.  Afterwards, enter the address using the "+" icon on the order page.

For further details see: New Addresses and Meeting Locations

I think this person is trying to avoid service. What should I do?

Document it! Describe exactly what you are seeing in ABC Mobile so that it would be clear to anyone reading your proof that they are avoiding. Making 3 attempts of "No contact." before writing, "I think this person is avoiding" is insufficient. Remember, your proof needs to convince the court and the customer that the person is avoiding.

I have so many serves. Which ones do I go to first?

Let ABC Mobile do the planning for you. The Route Plan feature will set up a route for you to follow with a tap of your finger. No more manually entering addresses into Google Maps! See also: The Car Button.

How do I get set up to E-sign proofs?

If you've received an E-sign proof, then check out our E-sign Proofs Page.

Why does my app not reflect current information?

The sync button should be your best friend. This button in the top left of the home page should be pressed every time you enter new information into the app. Submitted a proof? Sync! Reported a new attempt? Sync! Most issues arise because your app has not recently communicated with our system.

How do I download ABC Mobile?

Go to your App Store if you have an Apple device, or to your Play store if you have an Android, and search for ABC Legal. You'll see our app "ABC Legal Services Mobile" with our logo, and select "Install".

How do I report an issue with ABC Mobile?

First try deleting the app, restarting your device, and reinstalling ABC Mobile.

If the issue still persists, press the Support button in ABC Mobile, or Contact ABC in the top-right menu any of your Process Server Resource pages.

  • Specific details about the issue.
  • What type of phone and operating system you have
  • What version of ABC Mobile you have (found in profile)

There is a "No Trespassing" Sign. Am I allowed to serve them?

When serving process, you should not trespass. In the event that there is a "No Trespassing" sign on someone's private property make note of it in your attempt, and make sure to include a picture of the sign in your submission. See more: Trespassing and Barriers

What holidays should I NOT serve on?

The only days you can NOT serve with ABC Legal are Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. You are free to serve the other 363 days of the year.

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