When and How to Use Alternative Service Methods in Florida
Courts cannot act until defendants receive lawful notice. Florida treats that notice as essential, yet real life often frustrates traditional hand delivery. When a defendant evades the bell or hides behind a private mailbox, alternative service keeps the case alive, provided every statutory detail is respected. A Clear Statutory Hierarchy Personal service under Fla. Stat. § 48.031 stands first. Only after “reasonable diligence” fails may a plaintiff pivot to alternatives. Senate Bill 1062, effective January 2, 2023, rewrote Chapter 48 to streamline fallback choices, particularly for business entities;