Sec. 4. (a) Proof of the publication required in this chapter is made by filing a copy of the published notice, verified by the affidavit of a disinterested person, and when proof of publication is made, the court shall, subject to the limitations imposed by subsections (b), (c), and (d), proceed to hear the petition and make an order and decree the court determines is just and reasonable.

(b) In the case of a petition described in section 2(b) of this chapter, the court may not hear the petition and issue a final decree until after thirty (30) days from the later of:

(1) the filing of proof of publication of the notice required under subsection (a); or

(2) the service of the petition upon the parents or guardian of the minor child.

(c) In the case of a petition described in section 2(b) of this chapter, the court shall set a date for a hearing on the petition if:

(1) written objections have been filed; or

(2) either parent or the guardian of the minor child has refused or failed to give written consent as described in section 2(b) of this chapter.

The court shall require that appropriate notice of the hearing be given to the parent or guardian of the minor child or to any person who has filed written objections.

(d) In deciding on a petition to change the name of a minor child, the court shall be guided by the best interest of the child rule under IC 31-17-2-8. However, there is a presumption in favor of a parent of a minor child who:

(1) has been making support payments and fulfilling other duties in accordance with a decree issued under IC 31-15, IC 31-16, or IC 31-17 (or IC 31-1-11.5 before its repeal); and

(2) objects to the proposed name change of the child.

(e) In the case of a person required to give notice under section 3(c) of this chapter, the petitioner must certify to the court that the petitioner has complied with the notice requirements of that subsection.

[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-6-4.]

As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.24. Amended by P.L.61-2010, SEC.4.