Can a PI Help Me Serve Someone Who’s Avoiding Court Papers?

Introduction:
If you’ve ever tried to serve someone with court papers only to have them dodge every attempt, you know how frustrating and stressful it can be. Whether you’re involved in a civil lawsuit, divorce proceedings, or need to serve someone with a subpoena, avoiding service of process is unfortunately very common.

But here’s the good news: hiring a licensed private investigator (PI) can make the difference between chasing your tail and getting the job done. In New York—and especially in busy areas like NYC and Long Island—many individuals go out of their way to hide, making it almost impossible for process servers to complete the job. This is where experienced private investigators come in.

So, can a PI help you serve someone who’s avoiding court papers? Absolutely. And in this post, I’ll break down exactly how and why.

Why Do People Avoid Being Served?

Before we get into how a PI can help, it’s important to understand why people avoid being served in the first place:

• Fear of legal consequences – They know the documents could lead to a judgment, garnishment, or eviction.
• Divorce or custody disputes – One spouse may try to delay proceedings.
• Debt-related lawsuits – Debtors often go off the radar to avoid paying what they owe.
• Business lawsuits – Business owners sometimes evade service to stall litigation.

Some people will go to great lengths: changing addresses, using family members to lie for them, switching cars, or only showing up at odd hours. It’s frustrating, but it’s not impossible to overcome.

What a PI Can Do That a Regular Process Server Can’t

While a standard process server is good at delivering routine legal papers, they usually don’t have the advanced investigative tools or skills needed to find someone who’s actively hiding.

That’s where private investigators come in. At Easton Secure Solutions LLC, we specialize in skip tracing—the process of finding people who don’t want to be found. And unlike standard process servers, licensed PIs in New York are legally authorized to use a variety of investigative tools, databases, and strategies to locate evasive individuals.

Here’s how we do it:

1. Advanced Skip Tracing Techniques
Skip tracing goes far beyond a simple online search. Our methods include:

• Database research using proprietary sources
• Social media analysis for recent activity or locations
• Utility and property record checks
• Cross-referencing known associates
• Phone number and email tracing
• Real-time address monitoring

Many people think they can hide by simply changing their phone number or going off Facebook, but we know how to follow the digital breadcrumbs they don’t even realize they’re leaving behind.

2. Surveillance
If skip tracing leads us close, but not close enough, physical surveillance may be used to confirm someone’s presence at an address. We watch for patterns: who comes and goes, when they show up, what vehicles they use. This allows us to time the delivery perfectly.

For example, if someone only comes home after dark or uses a side door, we’ll know—and we’ll be there.

3. Undercover Tactics
Sometimes, evasive individuals will only answer the door for specific types of visitors. A skilled PI can use lawful pretexting techniques to make lawful contact in a professional and ethical manner. This might mean appearing as a delivery person or using legitimate excuses to confirm identity before completing service.

4. Working with Process Servers
At Easton Secure Solutions LLC, we collaborate directly with professional, licensed process servers to make sure the job is completed properly. Once we locate the individual, we either serve the papers ourselves if allowed under licensing rules, or we hand off to a process server who works closely with us.

The result? Fewer delays, faster results, and a properly documented service.

Why Not Just Hire a Process Server Alone?

Standard process servers can do a good job if the person being served is cooperative or easy to locate. But if someone is actively avoiding service, it quickly becomes a job for an investigator. PIs are trained in gathering information from multiple sources and can handle complex cases that go beyond the abilities of an everyday server.

Plus, in tricky cases, courts want to see due diligence. Using a licensed PI demonstrates to the court that you’ve taken every reasonable measure to attempt service before moving on to alternatives like substitute service or service by publication.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Everything we do at Easton Secure Solutions LLC is fully compliant with New York State laws. We do not use illegal methods, impersonations, or unauthorized surveillance. Instead, we rely on:

• Licensed databases
• Legal pretexting
• Open-source intelligence (OSINT)
• Surveillance in public areas

When you hire a PI to help serve court papers, you’re also protecting the integrity of your case. Improper service can delay your case or even get it dismissed. Our experience helps ensure everything is documented properly.

Real-World Example

Here’s a real-life example (details changed for privacy):

A client in Queens was trying to serve court papers on a former business partner who owed him over $50,000. The process server made three visits to the last known address, but the man’s girlfriend kept saying he wasn’t there.

We were brought in, conducted a skip trace, and discovered the man had recently registered a new car to a different address in Nassau County. After several evenings of surveillance, we identified his routine and coordinated with the process server to successfully complete service during one of his late-night arrivals.

Without investigative help, that case would’ve dragged on indefinitely.

Can a PI Guarantee Service?

No ethical investigator will guarantee they can serve someone who is avoiding service. But what we can guarantee is that we will use every legal, ethical, and professional strategy available to find them and attempt service.

In cases where someone truly cannot be found despite exhaustive efforts, your attorney may petition the court for alternative service methods, and our reports will serve as strong evidence of your diligent search efforts.

Ready to Get Started?
If you’re dealing with someone who’s actively avoiding service of process, don’t leave your case to chance. Get help from a licensed New York private investigator who specializes in exactly these kinds of situations.

📞 Call Easton Secure Solutions LLC today at (516) 962-1267
📧 Or email us at [email protected]

We proudly serve in person within New York City and Long Island and the rest of New Yorl State remotely. All conducted with the skills, experience, and determination to help you move your case forward.