Section 8613 Of Chapter 1. General Provisions From California Family Law Code >> Division 13. >> Part 2. >> Chapter 1.
8613
. (a) If the prospective adoptive parent is commissioned or
enlisted in the military service, or auxiliary thereof, of the United
States, or of any of its allies, or is engaged in service on behalf
of any governmental entity of the United States, or in the American
Red Cross, or in any other recognized charitable or religious
organization, so that it is impossible or impracticable, because of
the prospective adoptive parent's absence from this state, or
otherwise, to make an appearance in person, and the circumstances are
established by satisfactory evidence, the appearance may be made for
the prospective adoptive parent by counsel, commissioned and
empowered in writing for that purpose. The power of attorney may be
incorporated in the adoption petition.
(b) Where the prospective adoptive parent is permitted to appear
by counsel, the agreement may be executed and acknowledged by the
counsel, or may be executed by the absent party before a notary
public, or any other person authorized to take acknowledgments
including the persons authorized by Sections 1183 and 1183.5 of the
Civil Code.
(c) Where the prospective adoptive parent is permitted to appear
by counsel, or otherwise, the court may, in its discretion, cause an
examination of the prospective adoptive parent, other interested
person, or witness to be made upon deposition, as it deems necessary.
The deposition shall be taken upon commission, as prescribed by the
Code of Civil Procedure, and the expense thereof shall be borne by
the petitioner.
(d) The petition, relinquishment or consent, agreement, order,
report to the court from any investigating agency, and any power of
attorney and deposition shall be filed in the office of the clerk of
the court.
(e) The provisions of this section permitting an appearance
through counsel are equally applicable to the spouse of a prospective
adoptive parent who resides with the prospective adoptive parent
outside this state.
(f) Where, pursuant to this section, neither prospective adoptive
parent need appear before the court, the child proposed to be adopted
need not appear. If the law otherwise requires that the child
execute any document during the course of the hearing, the child may
do so through counsel.
(g) Where none of the parties appears, the court may not make an
order of adoption until after a report has been filed with the court
pursuant to Section 8715, 8807, 8914, or 9001.