A. A proceeding to terminate parental rights may be initiated in connection with or prior to an adoption proceeding. Venue shall be in the court for the county in which the child is physically present or in the county from which the child was placed. The proceeding may be initiated by any of the following:

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(1)     the department; (2)     an agency; or

(3)     any other person having a legitimate interest in the matter, including a petitioner for adoption, the child’s guardian, the child’s guardian ad litem or attorney in another action, a foster parent, a relative of the child or the child.

B. A petition for termination of parental rights shall be signed and verified by the petitioner, be filed with the court and set forth:

(1)     the date, place of birth and marital status of the child, if known;

(2)     the grounds for termination and the facts and circumstances supporting the grounds for termination;

(3)     the names and addresses of the person, authorized agency or agency officer to whom custody might be transferred;

(4)     the basis for the court’s jurisdiction;

(5)     that the petition is in contemplation of adoption;

(6)     the relationship or legitimate interest of the applicant to the child; and

(7)     whether the child is an Indian child.

C. Notice of the filing of the petition, accompanied by a copy of the petition, shall be served by the petitioner on the parents of the child, the child’s guardian, the legal custodian of the child, the person with whom the child is residing, the individuals with whom the child has resided within the past six months and the department. Service shall be in accordance with the Rules of Civil Procedure for the District Courts for the service of process in a civil action in this state, with the exception that the department may be served by certified mail. The notice shall state specifically that the person served shall file a written response to the petition within twenty days if the person intends to contest the termination.

D. If the identification or whereabouts of a parent is unknown, the petitioner shall file a motion for an order granting service by publication or an order stating that service by publication is not required. A motion for an order granting service by publication shall be supported by the affidavit of the petitioner, the agency or the petitioner’s attorney detailing the efforts made to locate the parent. Upon being satisfied that reasonable efforts to locate the parent have been made and that information as to the identity or whereabouts of the parent is still insufficient to effect service in accordance with SCRA, Rule 1-004, the court shall order service by publication or order that publication is not required because the parent’s consent is not required pursuant to the provisions of Section 32A-5-19 N.M. Stat. Ann..

E. The court shall, upon request, appoint counsel for an indigent parent who is unable to obtain counsel or if, in the court’s discretion, appointment of counsel for an indigent parent is required in the interest of justice. Payment for the appointed counsel shall be made by the petitioner pursuant to the rate determined by the supreme court of New Mexico for court-appointed attorneys.

F. The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem for the child in all contested proceedings for termination of parental rights. If the child is fourteen years of age or older and in the custody of the department, the child’s attorney appointed pursuant to the Abuse and Neglect Act [N.M. Stat. Ann. Chapter 32A, Article 4] shall represent the child in any proceedings for termination of parental rights under this section.

G. Within thirty days after the filing of a petition to terminate parental rights, the petitioner shall request a hearing on the petition. The hearing date shall be at least thirty days after service is effected upon the parent of the child or completion of publication.

H. The grounds for any attempted termination shall be proved by clear and convincing evidence.

I. If the court terminates parental rights, it shall appoint a custodian for the child. Upon entering an order terminating the parental rights of a parent, the court may commit the child to the custody of the department, the petitioner or an agency willing to accept custody for the purpose of placing the child for adoption.

J. A judgment of the court terminating parental rights divests the parent of all legal rights. Termination of parental rights shall not affect the child’s right of inheritance through the former parent.