§ 15-5-20 - Service on or notice to defendant. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 15-5-20

   § 15-5-20  Service on or notice todefendant. – No person shall be entitled to a divorce from the bond of marriage unless thedefendant, in accordance with rules adopted by the court, has been personallyserved with process if within the state, or with personal notice dulyauthenticated if out of the state, or unless the defendant has entered anappearance in the cause; or unless it appears to the satisfaction of the courtthat the petitioner does not know the address nor the residence of thedefendant and has not been able to ascertain either after reasonable and dueinquiry and search for six (6) months, in which case the court, or in vacationa judge of the court, may authorize notice by publication of the pendency ofthe petition for divorce to be given in a manner provided by law; provided,that in cases where indigence has been established, the court may, as analternative to publication and upon motion and in appropriate circumstance,authorize an alternate means of service of process in the manner provided byRule 4 of the Family Court Rules of Procedure for Domestic Relations.