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Process Serving & Court Filing Blog

Articles from Direct Legal Support on serving legal papers, filing with California courts, subpoenas, and collecting judgments, written for the attorneys, paralegals, and legal departments we work with.

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New and updated in October 2026

Latest Articles

Federal Subpoenas by Mail: The Rule 45 Changes Coming in 2027
Mail or carrier service with confirmed receipt, 14 days' notice, and fees paid at the appearance, starting December 1, 2027 at the earliest.
October 2026 · Subpoenas, Records, and Out-of-State Service
California Proofs of Service: Forms and the 2027 Changes
Which form fits which papers, what the summons proof shows, and the new Judicial Council forms for service in 2027.
Updated October 2026 · Service of Process
Served Right the First Time: Ordering Service of Process
What your process server needs before the first attempt, what the attempt notes mean, and what to check in the proof.
October 2026 · Service of Process
Federal Bank Levies in California: Our U.S. Marshal Checklist
The writ, the U.S. Marshal's packets in Los Angeles, the fees, and how the other California districts differ.
October 2026 · Judgment Enforcement and Evictions
Courtesy Copies After E-Filing: Which California Courts Still Want Paper
Los Angeles dropped its courtesy copy order in 2026, while San Francisco and Alameda still require paper. A court by court guide.
October 2026 · Court Filing and Electronic Service
Recording an Abstract of Judgment in California
How the judgment lien on real property is created, what the recorder charges, e-recording, renewal, and the release.
October 2026 · Judgment Enforcement and Evictions
Certificates of Status and Certified Copies for a California Closing
What a certificate of status shows and what it does not, certified copies, suspended entities, and the FTB letter.
October 2026 · Secretary of State Records
Bank Levies in California: What to Assemble Before the Levy
The writ, the levy instructions, the right bank office, and the newer rules for personal debt judgments, in the order you need them.
Updated October 2026 · Judgment Enforcement and Evictions
E-Filing Is Not E-Service: Electronic Service in California
Filing a document does not serve it. Who must accept electronic service, when it is complete, and what the proof needs.
Updated October 2026 · Court Filing and Electronic Service
California Witness Fees and Mileage, With a Calculator
What a subpoenaed witness is owed in state and federal cases, when to pay it, public employees, and a working calculator.
Updated October 2026 · Subpoenas, Records, and Out-of-State Service
Registered Process Servers: What California Law Requires
Who has to register, the bond and ID card, what goes on the proof of service, and what changes in 2027.
Updated October 2026 · Hard-to-Serve Defendants and Process Servers
What Changes for Service of Process in California on January 1, 2027
AB 747 and AB 2042 change how a summons is served and proved starting January 1, 2027. What changes and what to update now.
October 2026 · Service of Process
Before You Request Default, Check the Proof of Service
What to check in a proof of service before you file a request for entry of default, including the 2027 photo rules.
October 2026 · Service of Process
Defendant Avoiding Service? What to Do After the Third No-Answer
Three attempts and no answer. How to tell evasion from a bad address, and the next steps from skip tracing to a court order.
October 2026 · Hard-to-Serve Defendants and Process Servers
E-Filing Rejected Near a Deadline? What to Check Next
What a rejection means for your filing date, how to fix and resubmit quickly, and the rules that may help near a deadline.
October 2026 · Court Filing and Electronic Service
The Subpoena Was Served. Where Are the Records?
The production date passed and nothing arrived. How to find out why, when a custodian can hold records, and when to escalate.
October 2026 · Subpoenas, Records, and Out-of-State Service

Kept up to date

Current Guides and Resources

Court rules and procedures change. These pages on our site are reviewed and kept current, so they're the best place to start for today's rules.

Served Right the First Time
Our free guide to ordering service of process in California, with a one-page checklist, for law firms and legal departments.
Guide
California E-Filing Guide
E-filing rules, providers, and courthouses for 46 California superior courts.
Guide
Where to Serve a Bank Levy
The designated central locations for serving levies on 163 California banks and credit unions.
Guide
Serving CT Corporation in Glendale
How and where to serve the most common registered agent in Southern California.
Guide
Serving CSC in Sacramento
How and where to serve CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service, a major registered agent with its California office in Sacramento.
Guide
California Court Updates
Links to the official news pages of the state's largest courts, with email alerts and feeds.
Guide
Court and Litigation Resources
Official court websites, forms, rules, filing fees, and business records.
Guide
Forms and Downloads
Current court forms for writs and wage garnishments, our order guides, and the witness fee calculator.
Guide