§ 7B-407. Service of summons. - North Carolina Statutes

§ 7B‑407.  Service ofsummons.

The summons shall be servedunder G.S. 1A‑1, Rule 4(j) upon the parent, guardian, custodian, orcaretaker, not less than five days prior to the date of the scheduled hearing.The time for service may be waived in the discretion of the court.

If the parent, guardian,custodian, or caretaker entitled to receive a summons cannot be found by adiligent effort, the court may authorize service of the summons and petition bypublication under G.S. 1A‑1, Rule 4(j1). The cost of the service bypublication shall be advanced by the petitioner and may be charged as courtcosts as the court may direct.

If the parent, guardian,custodian, or caretaker is served as herein provided and fails withoutreasonable cause to appear and to bring the juvenile before the court, theparent, guardian, custodian, or caretaker may be proceeded against as forcontempt of court. (1979,c. 815, s. 1; 1998‑202, s. 6; 1999‑456, s. 60; 2003‑304, s.1.)