Some Post Harvey Thoughts

Right after a disaster, the cockroaches come out in droves.  In this case, by cockroaches, I mean scammers, thieves, and all around bad folks.

I will get back to the bad guys in just a minute.  If your home was damaged by Harvey, before you do anything else, take photos of all of the damage you find.  Then, make sure you repair Things like the roof or broken windows and keep the receipt.  This will all come in handy later.

If your vehicle took on water higher than the floorboard, do not try to start it.  You may cause more damage than the flooding did.  Take it (towed) to the same kind of dealership of the make of the car and have them check it out.  Hopefully you were smart enough when you  bought car insurance, that you purchased the highest towing coverage you can (it is the least expensive thing to buy).

Oh, and the stupid crap about having to file your insurance claim before September 1, 2017 is just that.  A bunch of crap.  HB 1774 does not change the insurance claims process. A person making a claim with his/her insurance company after September 1, 2017 will go through the same process as a person making a claim before September 1, 2017.

Back to the roaches, er bad guys.

If any contractor comes to your house to give an estimate - do not pay them anything.  If the contractor says they will "negotiate" with the insurance company, send them on their way.  If someone comes to your house claiming to be an insurance adjuster, that person should have ID, and should know your name and who you have a policy with, and the type of coverage.  If they don't, send them on their way.

If any contractor tries to act like there is some sort of rush to get things done, send them on their way.  FEMA will not be going door to door - anyone who says they are FEMA going door to door is likely a crook.  You have to apply for assistance with FEMA before they send anyone.  Then they will arrange an appointment.

If anyone wants to get any information from you that appears to be a possible contractor or represetative from the government.  Ask for ID.  Take a picture of that ID.  Do this befor speaking with them.

Whatever You do - Stay safe!

Process Service - It is All About Integrity

OK, I had an inner debate whether or not to post about this.  I don't like to point out when other folks in my profession screw up. However, I was hired, basically to clean up someone else's mess.  SO I thought I would talk about it in generic terms.

If you cannot be trusted that your word is your word in the process service business, you have already lost in the process service business.  See, some young, inexperienced process servers think that you have to show that you serve the papers above all else to have credibility.  This isn't really the case.

First of all, there is this thing in Texas called alternative service.  If I am trying to serve you, and I do not catch you at home (but I can show it is your home), I do not have to serve you in person.  If I make (in most Texas Counties) 3 attempts to serve you at home (or work) and I do not catch you there - whether or not it is because you don't answer the door, or you are just not there - I can write an affidavit stating my attempts and how I know you live (or work) there and a judge more often than not will allow alternative service.  That usually means I can either leave the papers with anyone over 16 at the residence, or I can "post" them to the front door (or gate if I cannot access the door). Posting simply means attaching it (usually bu tape) to the front door.

Here is the key.  The affidavit.  If a process server ever lies on an affidavit - they may as well quit the business.  Why?  Several reasons.  First, you have committed a felony (perjury).  Second, if you lied once - every single service you have done can be contested.  Every single service you do in the future can be contested.  You have no credibility - none.  See every return a process server files is either a notarized statement, or a statement made "under penalty of perjury" when filed wit the court.  Once you have been found out to have lied - there is no reason to believe you.

Do servers make mistakes on returns?  Sure they do - a mistake is not a lie.  It can be corrected with an amended return.  If you make enough returns, you will need to make amended returns.  If you lie on an affidavit or return - You are done.  I mean for good. Forever.  There is no "grace period."

To circle back to what I said earlier, about pressure to show that you "serve" the papers, this is the only motivation I can think of for a process server to lie on a return or affidavit.  Why lie.

As a process server, I am a professional disinterested third party.  My job is to to do the best I can to serve the documents, but if I cannot, there usually are remedies in the system.  It is no skin off of my nose if I do not get someone served, if I have put forth due diligence to get the papers to them.

So, there is someone who knows the specifics of a process server who lied in an affidavit.  That person is now obligated under Texas rules to report this to the JBCC (the folks who regulate process servers).  I hope that this is done.