Can a friend or relative serve legal documents on behalf of someone in Georgia?

In Georgia, a friend or relative can serve legal documents as long as they meet specific criteria: they must be at least 18 years old and not have any involvement in the case. This means that anyone who meets these age and disinterest requirements is eligible to serve process, making it relatively flexible for individuals who are familiar with the parties involved or the legal situation. This provision allows those who may have a personal connection to the case to assist in the legal process, provided they are neutral parties. Such allowances are consistent with the emphasis on facilitating legal communication without the need for professional help, as long as the basic legal criteria are satisfied.

The requirement for them to be uninvolved in the case is significant; it helps maintain the integrity of the process by ensuring that the server does not have a vested interest in the outcome, which could bias the serving of the documents. This provision provides an accessibility aspect to legal proceedings, especially for individuals who may not have the financial means to hire a professional process server.