Florida has long had specific rules for how businesses must be served in civil matters, but many of those rules are impractical at this time. Due to the pandemic, many businesses have gone completely virtual, letting their unaffordable leases lapse and saving on overhead. Other small businesses have been started by freelancers who have a diverse and completely remote staff.
But if a business doesn’t have a physical location, how are you supposed to serve them?
The answer may not be as cut and dry as you think. In the state of Florida, any legal business entity must have a physical address, even if the address is only for receiving mail or as a remote work location. This physical address is where legal papers for the company must be served, unless the company has a registered agent.
If the company has a registered agent, you will have to serve that individual at their place of business. If that person, too, is working remotely, you may be able to serve them at home or wherever they are working remotely. A private process server knows the rules and how they might apply to the pandemic.
Finally, if the pandemic is making it impossible for you to serve a business in the traditional means, you may be able to request alternative service from the judge presiding over the case. Alternative service that would work well during the pandemic includes service by mail requiring a signature. No doubt, mail will be forwarded to the appropriate individual.
If you’re not sure how to serve a virtual business, contact us today for assistance.
