MI Rules MCR 3.802
 
Michigan Compiled Laws Annotated Currentness
Michigan Court Rules of 1985
Chapter 3. Special Proceedings and Actions
Subchapter 3.800. Adoption
RULE 3.802 MANNER AND METHOD OF SERVICE

(A) Service of Papers.

(1) A notice of intent to release or consent pursuant to MCL 710.34(1) may only be served by personal service by a peace officer or a person authorized by the court.

(2) Notice of a petition to identify a putative father and to determine or terminate his rights, or a petition to terminate the rights of a noncustodial parent, must be served on the individual or the individual's attorney in the manner provided in MCR 5.105(B)(1)(a) or (b).

(3) Notice of Proceeding Concerning Indian Child.

If an Indian child is the subject of an adoption proceeding and an Indian tribe does not have exclusive jurisdiction as defined in MCR 3.002(2),

(a) in addition to any other service requirements, the petitioner shall notify the parent or Indian custodian and the Indian child's tribe, by personal service or by registered mail with return receipt requested, of the pending proceedings on a petition for adoption of the Indian child and of their right of intervention on a form approved by the State Court Administrative Office. If the identity or location of the parent or Indian custodian, or of the tribe, cannot be determined, notice shall be given to the Secretary of the Interior by registered mail with return receipt requested.

(b) the court shall notify the parent or Indian custodian and the Indian child's tribe of all other hearings pertaining to the adoption proceeding as provided in this rule. If the identity or location of the parent or Indian custodian, or of the tribe, cannot be determined, notice of the hearings shall be given to the Secretary of the Interior. Such notice may be made by first-class mail.

(4) Except as provided in subrules (B) and (C), all other papers may be served by mail under MCR 2.107(C)(3).

(B) Service When Identity or Whereabouts of Father is Unascertainable.

(1) If service cannot be made under subrule (A)(2) because the identity of the father of a child born out of wedlock or the whereabouts of the identified father has not been ascertained after diligent inquiry, the petitioner must file proof, by affidavit or by declaration under MCR 2.114(B)(2), of the attempt to identify or locate the father. No further service is necessary before the hearing to identify the father and to determine or terminate his rights.

(2) At the hearing, the court shall take evidence concerning the attempt to identify or locate the father. If the court finds that a reasonable attempt was made, the court shall proceed under MCL 710.37(2). If the court finds that a reasonable attempt was not made, the court shall adjourn the hearing under MCL 710.36(7) and shall

(a) order a further attempt to identify or locate the father so that service can be made under subrule (A)(2)(a), or

(b) direct any manner of substituted service of the notice of hearing except service by publication.

(C) Service When Whereabouts of Noncustodial Parent is Unascertainable. If service of a petition to terminate the parental rights of a noncustodial parent pursuant to MCL 710.51(6) cannot be made under subrule (A)(2)(b) because the whereabouts of the noncustodial parent has not been ascertained after diligent inquiry, the petitioner must file proof, by affidavit or by declaration under MCR 2.114(B)(2), of the attempt to locate the noncustodial parent. If the court finds, on reviewing the affidavit or declaration, that service cannot be made because the whereabouts of the person has not been determined after reasonable effort, the court may direct any manner of substituted service of the notice of hearing, including service by publication.

CREDIT(S)

[Formerly Rule 5.752, effective March 1, 1985; amended June 17, 1997, effective September 1, 1997, 454 Mich. Renumbered 3.802 and amended December 18, 2001, effective May 1, 2002, 465 Mich; amended February 23, 2006, effective May 1, 2006, 474 Mich; February 2, 2010, effective May 1, 2010, 485 Mich.]

Current with amendments received through January 1, 2011.


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