§ 10-7503-3.2. Notice of filing of paternity action by putative father.  


Latest version.
  • A.  1.  If a putative father files a paternity action after receiving notice of or having knowledge of a potential adoption, the putative father shall notify the attorney for the petitioner for adoption or the child-placing agency that is placing the minor for adoption that the paternity action has been filed, including, but not limited to:

    a.the name of the court,

    b.the case number, and

    c.the date of filing.

    2.  If the name or location of the attorney for the petitioner for adoption or the child-placing agency placing the minor for adoption cannot be ascertained by the putative father, the putative father shall notify the petitioner for adoption.  If the petitioner for adoption is also unknown to the putative father, the putative father shall notify the Paternity Registry of the Department of Human Services.

    B.  Upon a motion of the prospective adoptive parent, the court having jurisdiction over the paternity action, if it is filed in a court of this state, shall allow the prospective adoptive parent to intervene in the paternity action and have the opportunity to be heard and seek custody and/or visitation.  If a proceeding for adoption or for termination of parental rights of the putative father and a paternity action by the putative father regarding the same minor are both pending in the courts of this state, upon motion of any party, the court having jurisdiction over the paternity action shall transfer the paternity proceeding to the court in which the adoption or termination proceeding is pending, whereupon the two proceedings may be considered.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 415, § 15, emerg. eff. June 11, 1998.