Personal injury, family law, and civil dispute lawyers often have to file lawsuits and serve papers on opposing parties. Here is a simple rule every lawyer should remember: Provide to the person serving the paper, the critical information he or she needs: 1. A valid physical address; 2. Directions to the residence; 3. Information about the person's employment; 4. Home, cell, and work phone numbers; 5. Tips as to when that person may be available, work schedule, and personal habits (the local pub, etc.). 6. A WARNING if that person has a history of violence. In short, do unto that process server as you would have him/her do unto you if you had that job. You will certainly earn the respect of the person serving those papers. Finally, if you are serving a non-violent spouse or partner, with whom you are going to have to work in mediation or settlement negotiations, perhaps a simple heads up call so the person can call the sheriff and come to the office to pick up the paper him/her/self would be the way to go. Isn't that what you would want if you were getting sued? This "golden" rule can save even a self represented party lots of grief. jbh.