Terms & Conditions

1. Scope of Services

Northbound Legal Services provides non-legal support services limited strictly to:

• Service of legal documents in accordance with California law
• Reasonable attempts to effect service as requested
• Preparation of Proof / Affidavit of Service
• Status updates related solely to service attempts

We do not provide legal representation, case strategy, court advocacy, or legal analysis of any kind.

For purposes of these Terms, "business days" exclude weekends, court holidays, and days when service cannot be reasonably attempted due to access restrictions or safety concerns.

2. No Legal Advice

Northbound Legal Services is not a law firm. No employee, contractor, or representative is acting as an attorney.

Nothing provided by us — including communications, explanations, templates, or documents — constitutes legal advice. Clients are solely responsible for:

• Selecting correct documents to be served
• Ensuring legal accuracy and completeness
• Understanding court deadlines and requirements

Clients should consult a licensed California attorney for legal advice.

3. Client Responsibilities

Clients agree to provide:

• Accurate and complete party names and addresses
• Properly prepared documents ready for service
• Timely updates regarding changes or corrections

We are not responsible for failed or delayed service caused by incorrect, incomplete, or outdated information provided by the client.

Authorization to Serve By submitting a request, the client authorizes Northbound Legal Services to act as their designated process server for the documents provided and confirms they have the legal right to request such service.

4. Communications & Instructions

Official service instructions must be provided in writing through our request form or via email. Northbound Legal Services is not responsible for instructions conveyed verbally, through third parties, or outside documented communication channels.

5. Service Attempts & Outcomes

Service is attempted in good faith. No guarantee of successful service is made, as outcomes depend on third-party availability and circumstances beyond our control.

Fees are charged for service efforts, not legal outcomes. Inability to complete service does not invalidate completed attempts.

Estimated timelines are not guarantees. Delays may occur due to defendant availability, access limitations, court rules, weather, or safety concerns.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, standard service includes up to three (3) reasonable attempts at service per address.

6. Proofs & Documentation

Proofs or Affidavits of Service reflect factual observations made at the time of service or attempted service and are limited to:

• Date, time, and manner of service
• Identity of the individual served (if known)
• Observations made directly by the process server

We do not verify legal sufficiency beyond documenting service efforts.

Filing of Proofs or Affidavits with the court is the client's responsibility unless expressly agreed to in writing.

7. Pricing & Fee Structure

7.1 Pricing Display & Ranges

All prices displayed on our website, service request forms, or communicated during intake are estimates based on standard service conditions. Where pricing is shown as a range (e.g., "$85–$200" or "Starting at $110"), the actual charge within that range will be determined by the specific circumstances of your service request.

Prices marked as "Starting at" represent the minimum base charge for that service type under ideal conditions. The final charge may be higher depending on complexity, urgency, location, and other factors detailed below.

7.2 Per-Address Pricing Structure

Standard process serving fees are charged per service address, not per defendant. When multiple defendants reside at or can be served at the same physical address, discounted pricing may apply for additional defendants beyond the first. Clients will be informed of any applicable multi-defendant discounts during the intake or quote process.

7.3 Factors Affecting Final Pricing

The final price for process serving services may vary from the base rate or fall anywhere within a displayed price range based on the following factors:

• Service Type: Standard civil service, evictions, restraining orders, and other document types carry different base rates
• Number of Service Attempts: Standard service includes up to three (3) attempts; additional attempts may incur extra charges
• Urgency & Timeline: Rush service (24-48 hours), same-day service, or expedited handling carries premium fees
• Timing of Service: After-hours, weekend, or holiday service requests incur additional fees beyond base rates
• Geographic Location: Service addresses outside our primary service area, remote locations, or those requiring extensive travel may incur distance or travel fees
• Case Complexity: Evasive defendants, gated communities, restricted-access buildings, extended stakeouts, or other obstacles may increase service time and cost
• Address Accuracy: Service attempts at incorrect, incomplete, or outdated addresses provided by the client remain billable and do not reduce the overall fee

7.4 Add-On & Premium Service Fees

Certain service enhancements are available for additional fees, which are charged in addition to base process serving rates. These include but are not limited to:

• Rush Service (24-48 hours): Additional $50–$100 per address
• Same-Day Service: Additional $85–$200 per address, depending on time of request and location
• After-Hours / Weekend / Holiday Service: Additional $75–$150 per address
• Skip Tracing or Address Verification: Quoted separately based on research complexity

Where add-on fees are shown as ranges, the final charge within that range depends on the urgency of the request, distance to the service location, time of day, and availability of process servers.

7.5 Quote Approval & Transparency

Clients will receive a price quote reflecting the expected total cost before payment is required. If circumstances arise during service that may result in fees exceeding the original quote (such as the need for additional attempts, extended stakeouts, or service address changes), Northbound Legal Services will make reasonable efforts to notify the client and obtain approval before incurring additional charges.

However, clients acknowledge that some fees may be incurred in real-time during active service attempts, and pre-approval may not always be practical or possible.

7.6 Non-Refundable Service Efforts

All fees are charged for professional time, travel, documentation, and service efforts—not for guaranteed outcomes. Service attempts made in good faith, even if unsuccessful, remain billable. Previously completed service attempts remain non-refundable regardless of whether subsequent attempts succeed or the case circumstances change.

8. Payment Authorization (Stripe-Safe)

Payment is required in full prior to service. By submitting payment, you authorize Northbound Legal Services to begin service preparations immediately.

You acknowledge that service fees cover professional time, effort, scheduling, travel, and documentation — not guaranteed outcomes.

By completing payment, you authorize Northbound Legal Services to charge the provided payment method for the selected services in accordance with our Service Agreement

9. Refund Policy

All payments are non-refundable once service has begun.

Service is considered started upon any of the following:

• Any service attempt
• Travel to a service address
• Stakeout or surveillance activity
• Skip tracing or address verification
• Preparation of service documentation

No refunds are issued once any service activity has occurred, regardless of outcome.

10. Cancellations

Cancellation requests must be submitted via email to service@northboundlegal.co and are subject to approval.

Cancellations are only eligible if service has not yet started. Once service preparations or attempts begin, cancellations are no longer permitted.

Approved cancellations may receive a refund at our discretion, less any administrative or processing fees incurred.

11. Chargebacks & Payment Disputes

Clients agree not to initiate chargebacks for services properly rendered or attempted in accordance with these Terms.

Any billing concerns must be submitted in writing to service@northboundlegal.co for review.

12. Process Server–Specific Disclosures & Limitations

Northbound Legal Services acts solely as a neutral, third-party process server. We are not law enforcement and have no authority to compel compliance, enforce judgments, provide legal interpretations, or require acceptance of documents.

Service methods are determined based on circumstances encountered at the time of service and applicable California law. No specific method of service is guaranteed unless expressly agreed to in writing and legally permissible.

Defendants or third parties may evade service, refuse documents, or interfere with service efforts. We are not responsible for delays or non-service caused by such conduct.

We reserve the right to suspend or refuse service if a situation is deemed unsafe or hostile. Attempts made remain billable, and no refund will be issued.

Court rejection or challenge of service does not constitute improper service or failure by Northbound Legal Services.

Clients agree to indemnify and hold harmless Northbound Legal Services from claims arising from incorrect documents, instructions, or information supplied by the client.

13. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Northbound Legal Services shall not be liable for legal outcomes, missed deadlines not expressly agreed to in writing, or indirect damages.

Liability, if any, is limited to the amount paid for the specific service in question.

14. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California.

15. Acceptance of Terms

By submitting a request, uploading documents, or completing payment, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.

Electronic acceptance constitutes a legally binding agreement equivalent to a written signature.