(2) A summons under this section must contain:

(a) A statement that an adoption petition has been filed and that, if the parent fails to file a written answer to the motion and order to show cause within the time provided, the court, without further notice and in the parent’s absence, may take any action that is authorized by law, including but not limited to entering a judgment of adoption of the child if the court determines, on the date the answer is required or on a future date, that:

(A) Consent of the parent is not required; and

(B) The adoption is in the best interests of the child.

(b) A statement that:

(A) The parent must file with the court a written answer to the motion and order to show cause within 30 days after the date on which the parent is served with the summons or, if service is made by publication or posting under ORCP 7 D(6), within 30 days from the date of last publication or posting.

(B) In the answer, the parent must inform the court and the petitioner of the parent’s telephone number or contact telephone number and the parent’s current residence, mailing or contact address in the same state as the parent’s home. The answer may be in substantially the following form:

______________________________________________________________________________

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF

THE STATE OF OREGON

FOR THE COUNTY OF _________

_________, )

Petitioner, ) NO._____

)

) ANSWER

and )

)

_________, )

Respondent. )

[ ] I consent to the proposed adoption.

[ ] I do not consent to the proposed adoption. The court should not order the proposed adoption without my consent for the following reasons:

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

_________________________

__________________

Signature

DATE:__________________

ADDRESS OR CONTACT ADDRESS:

_____________________

_____________________

TELEPHONE OR CONTACT TELEPHONE:

_____________________

______________________________________________________________________________

(c) A notice that, if the parent answers the motion and order to show cause, the court:

(A) Will schedule a hearing to address the motion and order to show cause and, if appropriate, the adoption petition;

(B) Will order the parent to appear personally; and

(C) May schedule other hearings related to the petition and may order the parent to appear personally.

(d) A notice that the parent has the right to be represented by an attorney. The notice must be in substantially the following form:

______________________________________________________________________________

You have a right to be represented by an attorney. If you wish to be represented by an attorney, please retain one as soon as possible to represent you in this proceeding. If you meet the state’s financial guidelines, you are entitled to have an attorney appointed for you at state expense. To request appointment of an attorney to represent you at state expense, you must contact the circuit court immediately. Phone ______ for further information.

______________________________________________________________________________

(e) A statement that the parent has the responsibility to maintain contact with the parent’s attorney and to keep the attorney advised of the parent’s whereabouts.

(3) A parent who is served with a summons and a motion and order to show cause under this section shall file with the court a written answer to the motion and order to show cause within 30 days after the date on which the parent is served with the summons or, if service is made by publication or posting under ORCP 7 D(6), within 30 days from the date of last publication or posting. In the answer, the parent shall inform the court and the petitioner of the parent’s telephone number or contact telephone number and current address, as defined in ORS 25.011. The answer may be in substantially the form described in subsection (2) of this section.

(4) If the parent requests the assistance of appointed counsel and the court determines that the parent is financially eligible, the court shall appoint an attorney to represent the parent at state expense. Appointment of counsel under this subsection is subject to ORS 135.055, 151.216 and 151.219. The court may not substitute one appointed counsel for another except pursuant to the policies, procedures, standards and guidelines adopted under ORS 151.216.

(5) If the parent files an answer as required under subsection (3) of this section, the court, by oral order made on the record or by written order provided to the parent in person or mailed to the parent at the address provided by the parent, shall:

(a) Inform the parent of the time, place and purpose of the next hearing or hearings related to the motion and order to show cause or the adoption petition;

(b) Require the parent to appear personally at the next hearing or hearings related to the motion and order to show cause or the adoption petition; and

(c) Inform the parent that, if the parent fails to appear as ordered for any hearing related to the motion and order to show cause or the adoption petition, the court, without further notice and in the parent’s absence, may take any action that is authorized by law, including but not limited to entering a judgment of adoption of the child on the date specified in the order or on a future date, without the consent of the parent.

(6) If a parent fails to file a written answer as required in subsection (3) of this section or fails to appear for a hearing related to the motion and order to show cause or the petition as directed by court order under this section, the court, without further notice to the parent and in the parent’s absence, may take any action that is authorized by law, including but not limited to entering a judgment of adoption of the child without the consent of the parent if the court finds, on the date the answer is required or on a future date, the action to be in the child’s best interests.

(7) If the child has no living parent and no guardian or next of kin in this state qualified to appear in behalf of the child, the court may order such notice, if any, to be given as the court deems necessary or proper. [Amended by 1957 c.710 §11; 1967 c.385 §2; 1969 c.591 §288; 1975 c.640 §17; 1979 c.284 §101; 2005 c.369 §1]