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Terms Used In Louisiana Children's Code 1202

  • Child: means a person under eighteen years of age and not emancipated by marriage. See Louisiana Children's Code 1169
  • Department: means the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services. See Louisiana Children's Code 1169
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.

A.  A copy of the petition for an agency adoption together with all exhibits shall be served by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or by commercial courier as defined in La. Rev. Stat. 13:3204(D), when the person to be served is located outside of this state, and properly addressed to the department and on any agency having legal custody of the child.  Two copies of the same petition need not be served on the department.

B.  Except when waived, notice of the filing of the petition shall be served on any parent whose parental rights have not been terminated by a court of competent jurisdiction.

C.  If the adoption petition names an alleged or adjudicated father and his parental rights have not been terminated by a court of competent jurisdiction, he shall be served with notice of the filing of the petition in accordance with Articles 1133, 1134, and 1136 and thereafter, his rights shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Articles 1137 through 1143.

Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 705, §1, eff. July 6, 1992; Acts 1993, No. 634, §1, eff. June 15, 1993; Acts 1999, No. 395, §7.