(a) If the court makes findings of fact upon the record that:(1) one (1) parent has made a valid consent to the termination of the parent-child relationship;(2) the other parent:(A) is required under this chapter to consent to the termination of the parent-child relationship;(B) cannot be located, after a good faith effort has been made to do so, or has been located but fails to appear at the termination hearing; and(C) has been served with notice of the hearing in the most effective means under the circumstances; and(3) the investigation that may be required by section 7 of this chapter has been completed and entered on the record;the court may enter a default judgment against the unavailable parent and terminate as to both parents.(b) A parent may waive the notice required by subsection (a)(2)(C) if the waiver:(1) is in writing;(2) is signed by the parent in the presence of a notary public; and(3) contains an acknowledgment that:(A) the waiver is irrevocable; and(B) the parent will not receive notice of:(i) adoption; or(ii) termination of parent-child relationship;proceedings.(c) A parent who waives notice under subsection (b) may not challenge or contest:(1) the he parent will not receive notice of:(i) adoption; or(ii) termination of parent-child relationship;proceedings.(c) A parent who waives notice under subsection (b) may not challenge or contest:(1) the termination of the parent-child relationship; or(2) the child's adoption.[Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-5-2(g).]As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.18. Amended by P.L.200-1999, SEC.28; P.L.130-2005, SEC.13.
Indiana Legal Code