Papers DeliveredPublished 2026-05-10 by Papers Delivered (Process Servers).
When a person avoids the door, a Michigan process server keeps going back at new times, finds where the person really is, and writes down every attempt. Each try is dated and described, so the record shows exactly what was done.
The Pattern
Cars in the driveway but no answer. Lights go out when the doorbell rings. The phone goes to voicemail every time. People who expect to be served often learn to avoid the door, and the papers still need to reach them.
Step 1: Document Every Attempt
Every attempt goes into a dated service log. For a person who avoids service, our log shows at least:
- Several attempts at different times: morning, afternoon and evening
- At least one weekend attempt: some people are only home on weekends
- Date, time and what was seen at each attempt, such as "knocked, no answer, car in driveway, lights on inside"
- Photos or video on request, recorded under Michigan's one-party consent law, MCL 750.539c
Step 2: Serve the Person by Hand
For an individual, the usual Michigan method is personal delivery. MCR 2.105(A)(1) allows service by "delivering a summons and a copy of the complaint to the defendant personally." Our server confirms who the person is, hands over the papers, and notes the moment it happened.
Leaving papers with someone else at the home, or at the door, is a different matter. Under MCR 2.105(J)(3), a court-ordered method may not be used "before entry of the court's order permitting it." So our server does not leave papers with a roommate or a relative unless a court order allows it, and then follows the order exactly.
Step 3: Find Where the Person Really Is
If the person has moved, or the address looks wrong, we confirm the current address before the next attempt. Skip tracing can be added to the serve to locate the person so the papers can be served. It is always tied to completing a serve.
Step 4: Stakeout as an Add-On to the Serve
When a client adds a stakeout to a process serving job, the server waits at the address at the times the person is most likely to come or go. That is often early morning, or after work. Notes, photos and video from the stakeout add-on go into the attempt record.
What You Get Back
When the papers are delivered, you get a signed, notarized proof of service that states how, when and where it happened. If the serve cannot be completed, you get the full log of every attempt, with dates, times, places and results.
Hard-to-Serve Person in Michigan?
We serve papers anywhere in Michigan. We try at varied times, document every attempt, and can add skip tracing or a stakeout to the serve. Quotes are given by phone.
Request Free Quote Call (248) 268-0097