Mower County Sheriff's Office

Civil Process Division

The Mower County Sheriff's Office includes a branch of law enforcement that many people don't realize exists.  Orders of the Court must be served and that duty is completed by the Civil Process Division of the Sheriff's Office.  The division consists of Civil Sergeant Martha Anderson, Civil Deputy John Bachman, and Administrative Assistant Jane Bau.  The Civil Process Division serves civil papers and judgments handed down from the judicial system. as well as documents prepared by attorneys, corporations, and individuals.  Our office serves approximately 3000 legal documents a year.

Main Duties:

    Serving Papers

                Order for Protection/Harassment Restraining Orders

                Subpoenas (Order to Appear & Testify)

                Summons/Complaints (Criminal & Civil)

                Child Support Papers

                Marriage Dissolution

                Mortgage Foreclosure Sales/Cancellation of Contract for Deeds

                Notice of Hearings (Civil Commitment/Criminal/Juvenile)

                Eviction Summons

    Wage Garnishment & Debt Collection

    Conducting Sales (Mortgage Foreclosure, Mechanic's Lien, & Sheriff's Execution)

    Eviction of Tenants after Court Order

    Transporting Individuals in Civil Commitment Hearings

Hours & Contact Information:

The Civil Process Division is open for regular business Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  However, the civil deputy is out serving papers on Saturdays as well as other deputies during the evening hours.  Civil Papers cannot be served on holidays recognized by state statute of Sundays (Except for Domestic Abuse papers which can be served any day or time).

Business Hours:                                                    After Hours:

Sgt. Martha Anderson            507/437-9419            Dispatch            507/437-9400

Civil Deputy John Bachman    507/437-9420

Jane Bau                             507/437-9408

Common Questions:

Q.  How do I utilize the Sheriff's Department to collect on a debt for me?

A.  You must be awarded a judgment through Conciliation Court, then obtain a Writ of Execution.  This can be done by contacting the Court Administrator's Office (507/437-9465).  Once you obtain the Writ of Execution and an Execution Instruction Sheet, you can bring them to the Sheriff's Office with the appropriate fees to have us levy on wages, bank accounts, or personal property.

Q.  How do I evict a tenant who is not paying rent?

A.  You must first file a Complaint in Unlawful Detainer with the Court Administrator's Office (507/437-9465).  A court hearing is then scheduled, and the Court Administrator's Office provides the Civil Process Division with copies of this paperwork to serve on the tenant.  Both parties go to court, and the judge will decide if the tenant is to be evicted.

Q.  What are the fees charged by the Sheriff's Office for certain services?

A.  Effective October 1, 2009, the Mower County Sheriff's Department Fee Schedule is as follows:

    -Serving civil documents (i.e. Summons, Complaint, Subpoena, Writ, etc.) Service fee is per person, per affidavit, flat fee (mileage included):    $80.00

    -Making Diligent search and inquire and returning an affidavit of "Not Found":    $80.00

    -Conducting Mortgage Foreclosure Sale:    $150.00

    -Failure to notify Sheriff's Office of a cancellation or postponement of a Mortgage Foreclosure Sale:    $100.00

    -Certificate of Sale or Redemption of Mortgage Foreclosure:    $250.00

    -Execution Levy Fee (Wages, Bank, Demand, etc.) per action:     $80.00

    -Collection on Execution after Levy:   %5 of Amount Collected

    -Officer Assistance (Escort, Stand-by, etc.):    $80.00 per hour per Deputy

    -Posting Notices of Sale (3 Locations):    $80.00

    -Returning Unsatisfied Execution to Court Administrator:    $80.00

    -Securing and safely storing property under Replevin or Attachment:    Actual cost incurred (i.e. Towing, Storage Fees, Officer Time, etc.) PLUS $80.00

    -For services not listed, the cost will be the same as a comparable service.

PLEASE NOTE: ADVANCED PAYMENT OF SERVICE FEES IS REQUIRED!

Fees are subject to change without notice.

Last modified: 04/23/09