Hideaway packs 3,199 residents into 2.1 square miles of Smith County, and anyone searching for a process server in Hideaway, Texas will find the county courthouse in Tyler about 13.5 miles off. The three service levels are Standard at $69 (attempt within 5 business days), Rush at $119 (within 48 hours) and 24-Hour at $169 (within 24 hours), for citations, petitions, subpoenas and notices to vacate alike. Once delivered, a Rule 107 Return of Service signed by the server is emailed to the customer.
What a Process Server Costs in Hideaway: Three Flat Tiers
You will not find a long fee schedule here. Standard Service is priced at $69 while Rush Service is $119 and 24-Hour Service is $169. The difference is simply how fast an attempt happens. Details are on the pricing page, with the order form ready when you are. Constables and the sheriff in Smith County follow whatever fees the commissioners court adopts under Local Gov't Code 118.131.
Who May Serve Papers in Hideaway: Certified Servers, Constables and Court Orders
Under Rule 103 a sheriff or constable may serve, and so may any adult who is 18 or older and named in a written court order, and so may a process server holding certification from the Judicial Branch Certification Commission. People who are parties to the case, or who otherwise have something riding on it, are not allowed to.
Where Hideaway Cases Are Filed: Justice Court, County Court and District Court
The Smith County Courthouse stands at 100 North Broadway Avenue in Tyler, the county seat, and it is about 13.5 miles from Hideaway. Justice courts decide evictions along with civil claims up to $20,000. County courts may hear claims above $200 and statutory county courts reach $325,000. As for precinct, the address in dispute settles it, and the county's justice court clerk can look it up. Related pages sit on the Smith County hub.
Eviction Notices in Hideaway: Notice to Vacate and the Justice Court Case
Under current Texas rules a landlord can't just file; a written notice to vacate of at least three days has to be delivered first, unless the lease gives another period. Mail, a conspicuous place inside the home, or a hand delivery to someone in the household aged 16 or more will do, and a private server is free to carry out the hand delivery. After a filing, the eviction citation is something only a sheriff or constable may serve.
Divorce Papers, Citations and Substituted Service for Hideaway Defendants
For a divorce, plan to put the citation and petition directly into the defendant's hands, or to mail them with a return receipt. Should the defendant be impossible to find, Rule 106(b) lets a judge approve leaving the papers with an adult at a likely location, though only after a sworn motion listing the attempts. An entity answers through its registered agent. Default judgment comes no sooner than ten days after the return is on file.
Subpoena Service, Witness Fees and Records Near Hideaway
All three listed hospitals are in Tyler: CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital, 800 East Dawson, at about 14.2 miles; UT Health East Texas Tyler Regional Hospital, 1000 South Beckham Ave, at about 14.4 miles; and Baylor Scott & White Texas Spine & Joint Hospital, 1814 Roseland Boulevard, at about 14.6 miles. Witnesses must be tendered $10 for every day of attendance when a subpoena is served, and a records custodian is owed $1.
ZIP Codes and Neighboring Cities Around Hideaway
Hideaway uses ZIP code 75771. Lindale, Van and Mineola lie nearby.
Hideaway Process Server FAQ
Do I handle service of my own case?
No, since you are a party.
Can anyone besides the defendant accept the citation?
Not without a judge's Rule 106(b) order.