Rhode Island General Laws Title 15. Domestic Relations § 15-7-26. Notice to natural father
Current as of January 01, 2022 | Updated by FindLaw Staff
Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes, a free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.
(a) If the court, after examination, determines that the natural father has not joined in a petition either for the termination of parental rights or a petition for adoption or has not executed a waiver, then the court shall cause inquiry to be made of the mother, as the court in its discretion shall deem appropriate.
(b)(1) If, after the inquiry, the natural father is identified to the satisfaction of the court, he shall be given notice in accordance with § 15-7-8 or in any other manner that the court may direct. Proof of giving the notice shall be filed with the court before a petition for termination of parental rights or a petition for adoption is granted. If the natural father fails to appear, or if appearing fails to claim any rights to the child, the court shall enter an order terminating his rights with reference to the child. If the natural father, or a man representing himself to be the natural father, claims rights to the child, the court shall proceed to determine his rights.
(2) If, after the inquiry, the court is able to identify the natural father but his whereabouts are unknown, or if the court is unable to identify the natural father, the court, on the basis of all information available, shall determine whether there is a reasonable probability that publication of notice of the proceeding will lead to the ascertainment of his identity or whereabouts. If so, the court may order publication in accordance with § 15-7-9.
(1) In this Article unless the context otherwise requires
(a) “Issue” means the first delivery of an instrument to a holder or a remitter.
(b) An “order” is a direction to pay and must be more than an authorization or request. It must identify the person to pay with reasonable certainty. It may be addressed to one or more such persons jointly or in the alternative but not in succession.
(c) A “promise” is an undertaking to pay and must be more than an acknowledgment of an obligation.
(d) “Secondary party” means a drawer or endorser.
(e) “Instrument” means a negotiable instrument.
(2) Other definitions applying to this Article and the sections in which they appear are:
“Acceptance”. Section 3-410.
“Accommodation party”. Section 3-415.
“Alteration”. Section 3-407.
“Certificate of Deposit”. Section 3-104.
“Certification”. Section 3-411.
“Check”. Section 3-104.
“Definite time”. Section 3-109.
“Dishonor”. Section 3-507.
“Draft”. Section 3-104.
“Holder in due course”. Section 3-302.
“Negotiation”. Section 3-202.
“Note”. Section 3-104.
“Notice of dishonor”. Section 3-508.
“On demand”. Section 3-108.
“Presentment”. Section 3-504.
“Protest”. Section 3-509.
“Restrictive Indorsement”. Section 3-205.
“Signature”. Section 3-401.
(3) The following definitions in other Articles apply to this Article:
“Account”. Section 4-104.
“Banking Day”. Section 4-104.
“Clearing house”. Section 4-104.
“Collecting bank”. Section 4-105.
“Customer”. Section 4-104.
“Depositary Bank”. Section 4-105.
“Documentary Draft”. Section 4-104.
“Intermediary Bank”. Section 4-105.
“Item”. Section 4-104.
“Midnight deadline”. Section 4-104.
“Payor bank”. Section 4-105.
(4) In addition Article 1 contains general definitions and principles of construction and interpretation applicable throughout this Article.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Rhode Island General Laws Title 15. Domestic Relations § 15-7-26. Notice to natural father - last updated January 01, 2022 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ri/title-15-domestic-relations/ri-gen-laws-sect-15-7-26.html
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature or via Westlaw before relying on it for your legal needs.
Was this helpful?