42-2-606. Hearing on petition to terminate parental rights. - Montana Statutes

     42-2-606. Hearing on petition to terminate parental rights. (1) The court shall hold a hearing as soon as practical to determine the identity of and terminate the parental rights of the parents of the child.
     (2) If a putative father has not been named and no one has registered with the putative father registry, the court shall cause inquiry to be made in an effort to identify any legal father. The inquiry must include whether the mother was married at the time of conception of the child or at any time after conception and prior to birth.
     (3) Based on the evidence received and the court's inquiry, the court shall enter a finding identifying the father or declaring that the identity of the father could not be determined.
     (4) Based on the grounds set forth in 42-2-607 and the evidence received at the hearing, the court shall enter an order concerning the parental rights to the child.
     (5) If the court terminates the parental rights to the child and the department, agency, or prospective adoptive parent has agreed to accept custody of the child until the child is adopted, the court shall issue an order awarding custody of the child to the petitioner.

     History: En. Secs. 68, 69, Ch. 480, L. 1997.