Arizona Process Server Practice Exam

Under what circumstance can you consider serving a summons at a business instead of at home?

1. If the individual is frequently present at the business

2. If it is closer than the individual's home

3. If the individual has an office nearby

4. If the business has confirmed their employment

The correct answer is: If the individual is frequently present at the business

Serving a summons at a business can be considered appropriate if the individual is frequently present at that location. This is based on the understanding that service of process aims to provide actual notice to the defendant. If a person is consistently available at their workplace, it stands to reason that serving them there is likely to ensure they receive the summons in a timely manner. In this context, option A supports the practice of ensuring adequate notice, aligning with the general principles of effective service of process. Regular presence at the business demonstrates a higher likelihood of the person receiving the summons compared to other considerations that might not guarantee that outcome. Other options suggest factors that may not reliably ensure the individual will receive the summons when served at the business. For instance, simply having an office nearby or the service being closer than their home does not necessarily equate to assured contact. Likewise, even confirmation of employment does not guarantee the individual is physically present at the business when service is attempted, making them less effective criteria than frequency of presence.