§ 14-839. Issuance of process

   (a) Notice to defendants. --

   (1) The plaintiff shall show in the title of the complaint the last address known to the plaintiff or to the attorney filing the complaint of each defendant, as obtained from:

      (i) any records examined as part of the title examination;

      (ii) the tax rolls of the collector who made the sale, as to the property described in the complaint; and

      (iii) any other address that is known to the plaintiff or the attorney filing the complaint.

   (2) Paragraph (1) of this subsection does not require the plaintiff or the attorney for the plaintiff to make any investigations or to search any other records or sources of information other than those stated.

   (3) On the filing of the complaint, the court shall issue a summons to procure the answer and appearance of all the defendants as in other civil actions.

   (4) This paragraph does not apply if a last known address for a defendant is not obtained as provided under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection. The plaintiff shall cause a copy of the order of publication to be mailed by first-class mail or certified mail, postage prepaid, to each defendant at the defendant's address as determined by the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection. As to any defendant not served by summons or as provided by paragraph (5) of this subsection, the plaintiff shall file an affidavit in the proceedings, which affidavit:

      (i) shall certify that this provision has been complied with; and

      (ii) shall be accompanied by:

         1. the receipt obtained from the post office for the mailing; or

         2. the certified mail receipt.

   (5) Notice to a defendant may be made in any other manner that results in actual notice of the pendency of the action to the defendant. When notice is made under this paragraph it shall be certified to by an affidavit that fairly describes the method and time of service.

   (6) A final judgment may not be entered before the last of:

      (i) where actual service is made on the defendant, the passage of the time specified in the summons issued by the court;

      (ii) the actual time specified in the order of publication; or

      (iii) 33 days after the date of mailing the copy of the order of publication under paragraph (4) of this subsection.

(b) Notice to defendants -- Declared reasonable and sufficient. -- The provisions of this section as to notice to persons who may have an interest in property sold for nonpayment of taxes, coupled with the order of publication and the other publicity and notices as ordinarily accompanies the sale of such property, as well as the knowledge of the taxes and the consequences for nonpayment of the taxes is declared:

   (1) to be reasonable and sufficient under all of the circumstances involved, and necessary in light of the compelling need for the prompt collection of taxes; and

   (2) to supersede any other requirement in other cases or civil causes generally.

(c) Notice to collector. -- Notice of the institution of a proceeding to foreclose the right of redemption also shall be given to the collector where the property is located.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 81, § 106; 1985, ch. 8, § 2; 1986, ch. 825; 1987, ch. 11, § 1.