Art. 1517.  Notice; service; curator; reservation of rights

A.  Notice of the proceedings, including, if applicable, the parents' right to an attorney in accordance with Paragraph E of this Article, shall be served on any parent or legal custodian who has not joined in the petition.

B.  Notice may be served by personal or domiciliary service or by certified mail, proof of which shall be filed in the record.

C.  If a parent or legal custodian cannot be served, the court may appoint an attorney at law as curator for him and service shall be made upon the curator.

D.  If a parent or legal custodian cannot be served and a curator is not appointed for him, the court shall specifically reserve the absentee's rights in any order transferring custody pursuant to this Chapter.

E.  If the Department of Children and Family Services has recommended that the petition for voluntary transfer of custody be filed:

(1)  It shall also be served with notice of the proceedings.

(2)  The court may also order a report by the department concerning the safety and well-being of the child and of the circumstances leading the department to recommend that the custody of the child be transferred by the parent to some other individual.

(3)  The court shall advise the parents and may advise the child, insofar as practicable, of the right to be represented by counsel and the right to have counsel appointed as provided in Chapter 4 of Title VI.

Acts 1991, No. 235, §15, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 2010, No. 266, §1.