Ask Me Help Desk - Service by publication

Service by publication

What is the state of Maine s legal requirement for
Publishing a divorce action in a newspaper. IE what is the legal wording? What needs to be stated?

First off have you filed for divorce and tried to find the other party for service and can not? Has it proceeded to the point that a judge has now told you to bring the action forth through publication ?

I have not filed as we have only a 120 day window in order to show proof
Of service. However I will
Petition the judge as my husband is in Tanzania and not an American citizen. I only require the legal jargon to be used.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ann Nasser

I have not filed as we have only a 120 day window in order to show proof
Of service. However I will
Petition the judge as my husband is in Tanzania and not an American citizen. I only require the legal jargon to be used.

I also tried to serv notice through fedex and husband did not accept te shipment. I know where he is but do not have any contact with him

Then ask the judge to grant it by publication. Where it is going to be a problem is that he is outside the U.S.

What you might try doing is contact the embassy and ask there about which paper to use and how to go about it. Most newspapers in the U.S. follow certain procedures and already have a outline for it in the "legal notices section".

Im not quite sure if Tanzania has that option or not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdad

Then ask the judge to grant it by publication. Where it is going to be a problem is that he is outside the U.S.

What you might try doing is contact the embassy and ask there about which paper to use and how to go about it. Most newspapers in the U.S. follow certain procedures and already have a outline for it in the "legal notices section".

Im not quite sure if Tanzania has that option or not.

Thank you for your assistance! Appreciate the advice! Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to you also. Welcome to AMHD (Ask Me Help Desk)

Incase your having trouble finding it this is a link for the American Embassy in Tanzania.

Home | Embassy of the United States Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

By clicking the "contact us" link at the top of the page it provides addresses and phone numbers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ann Nasser

I have not filed as we have only a 120 day window in order to show proof
Of service. However I will
Petition the judge as my husband is in Tanzania and not an American citizen. I only require the legal jargon to be used.

You have not filed the divorce complaint?

When you do, have the clerk of court issue a summons. Then check with the post office about sending the summons (together with a copy of the complaint) to your husband by certified mail. The post office can tell you whether certified mail to Tanzania is possible.

If not, or if your husband refuses to accept it, check the court rules in your state for international service of process. Such rules will probably provide that you need file a motion with the court to have the process (summons and complaint) served by a peace officer or person specifically appointed.

Only if that doesn't work, would you be in a position to publish the notice. Use a notice form as published in your local papers, modifying it appropriately for your information. Get the court to approve the form of the notice and what newspaper in which it can be published. I suspect that the notice would have to be published in a Tanzanian paper.