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Hearing - 23 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2513

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     § 2513.  Hearing.
        (a)  Time.--The court shall fix a time for hearing on a
     petition filed under section 2512 (relating to petition for
     involuntary termination) which shall be not less than ten days
     after filing of the petition.
        (b)  Notice.--At least ten days' notice shall be given to the
     parent or parents, putative father, or parent of a minor parent
     whose rights are to be terminated, by personal service or by
     registered mail to his or their last known address or by such
     other means as the court may require. A copy of the notice shall
     be given in the same manner to the other parent, putative father
     or parent or guardian of a minor parent whose rights are to be
     terminated. A putative father shall include one who has filed a
     claim of paternity as provided in section 5103 (relating to
     acknowledgment and claim of paternity) prior to the institution
     of proceedings. The notice shall state the following:
            "A petition has been filed asking the court to put an end
        to all rights you have to your child (insert name of child).
        The court has set a hearing to consider ending your rights to
        your child. That hearing will be held in (insert place,
        giving reference to exact room and building number or
        designation) on (insert date) at (insert time). You are
        warned that even if you fail to appear at the scheduled
        hearing, the hearing will go on without you and your rights
        to your child may be ended by the court without your being
        present. You have a right to be represented at the hearing by
        a lawyer. You should take this paper to your lawyer at once.
        If you do not have a lawyer or cannot afford one, go to or
        telephone the office set forth below to find out where you
        can get legal help.
                                    (Name)...................
                                    (Address)................
                                    .........................
                                    (Telephone number)......."
        (c)  Mother competent witness on paternity issue.--The
     natural mother shall be a competent witness as to whether the
     presumptive or putative father is the natural father of the
     child.
        (d)  Decree.--After hearing, which may be private, the court
     shall make a finding relative to the pertinent provisions of
     section 2511 (relating to grounds for involuntary termination)
     and upon such finding may enter a decree of termination of
     parental rights.
     (June 23, 1982, P.L.617, No.174, eff. 60 days; May 21, 1992,
     P.L.228, No.34, eff. 60 days)

        1992 Amendment.  Act 34 amended subsec. (b).
        Cross References.  Section 2513 is referred to in sections
     2504, 2714 of this title.

Last modified: November 27, 2007