Lockhart is the Caldwell County seat, and a process server in Lockhart, Texas will find the county justice center about 1.3 miles from the city's center. About 14,376 people live in Lockhart, across 16.2 square miles. For citations, petitions, subpoenas and notices there are three speeds. Standard Service sets an attempt inside 5 business days, Rush Service inside 48 hours, and 24-Hour Service inside 24 hours. The signed Rule 107 Return of Service is emailed after delivery. The nearest listed hospitals are more than 13 miles away.
What a Process Server Costs in Lockhart: Three Flat Tiers
How much? Standard Service costs $69. Rush Service costs $119. 24-Hour Service costs $169. The numbers on the pricing page are the same as on the order form. Caldwell County's constables and sheriff also serve in Texas, with fees the commissioners court sets under Local Government Code 118.131. A private server is simply another option.
Who May Serve Papers in Lockhart: Certified Servers, Constables and Court Orders
Before asking a friend to serve a Lockhart defendant, consult Rule 103. Friends with no stake in the case may serve only if a written court order names them and they are 18 or older. Without a court order, service falls to sheriffs and constables and other persons authorized by law, or to process servers certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission. Parties and anyone with a stake are always excluded. The certification guide has more.
Where Lockhart Cases Are Filed: Justice Court, County Court and District Court
Lockhart is where Caldwell County's courts sit. The Caldwell County Justice Center is at 1703 South Colorado Street, Lockhart, TX 78644, about 1.3 miles from the city's center. Money claims up to $20,000 (excluding interest) and evictions are for justice court, not divorces. County courts take amounts from over $200 up to $20,000 and a civil case over $500 up to $325,000 may be heard by a statutory county court or a district court. For the precinct, the justice court clerk can tell you which applies. The Caldwell County page has more.
Eviction Notices in Lockhart: Notice to Vacate and the Justice Court Case
A Lockhart landlord whose tenant has to go must send a written notice to vacate. Three days is the least that can be given, unless a lease or agreement sets a different period. Mailing it is acceptable, as is leaving it inside the premises in a conspicuous place, handing it to a tenant 16 or older, or using electronic communication that both sides agreed to in writing. Weekends and holidays are counted, with a last day on one carried to the next business day. The sworn petition then reaches justice court. A private server may deliver the notice. The justice court's eviction citation belongs to a sheriff or constable, with an alias citation possible after 5 business days.
Divorce Papers, Citations and Substituted Service for Lockhart Defendants
In Caldwell County a divorce citation goes to the spouse by hand or by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested. If the spouse is out of reach, the plaintiff can ask the court for another method under Rule 106(b), with a sworn statement of probable locations and the efforts made so far. The judge may approve papers left with someone over 16, or email or social media. A corporate defendant is served at its registered agent, at its president or a vice president, or through the Secretary of State. Ten days of proof of service on file are the minimum before a default judgment. The Rule 106(b) guide has more.
Subpoena Service, Witness Fees and Records Near Lockhart
Lockhart Police Department covers the city. Hospitals in range: Ascension Seton Hays, 6001 Kyle Pkwy, Kyle, TX 78640 (about 13.8 miles), Ascension Seton Edgar B Davis, 130 Hays Street, Luling, TX 78648 (about 14.3 miles), and CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital-San Marcos, 1301 Wonder World Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666 (about 16.0 miles). Serving a subpoena means handing the witness a copy and tendering any fee the law requires. A witness is owed $10 for each day of attendance, due from the summoning party, and a records custodian $1. For nonparty documents, every party must be told 10 days before service. See the fee guide.
ZIP Codes and Neighboring Cities Around Lockhart
Lockhart is covered by ZIP code 78644. Uhland, Martindale and Luling are nearby.
Lockhart Process Server FAQ
Can I serve the papers myself?
No. You have a stake in the case, and Rule 103 bars that.
What if the person avoids service?
Track each try and ask the court for a Rule 106(b) order. The services page and the FAQ have more.