2010 Arkansas Code
Title 9 - Family Law
Subtitle 3 - Minors
Chapter 27 - Juvenile Courts And Proceedings
Subchapter 3 - Arkansas Juvenile Code
§ 9-27-311 - Required contents of petition.

9-27-311. Required contents of petition.

(a) The petition shall set forth the following:

(1) (A) The name, address, gender, social security number, and date of birth of each juvenile subject of the petition.

(B) A single petition for dependency-neglect or family in need of services shall be filed that includes all siblings who are subjects of the petition;

(2) The name and address of each of the parents or the surviving parent of the juvenile or juveniles;

(3) The name and address of the person, agency, or institution having custody of the juvenile or juveniles;

(4) The name and address of any other person, agency, or institution having a claim to custody or guardianship of the juvenile or juveniles;

(5) In a proceeding to establish paternity, the name and address of both the putative father and the presumed legal father, if any; and

(6) In a dependency-neglect proceeding, the name and address of a putative parent, if any.

(b) If the name or address of anyone listed in subsection (a) of this section is unknown or cannot be ascertained by the petitioner with reasonable diligence, this shall be alleged in the petition and the petition shall not be dismissed for insufficiency, but the court shall direct appropriate measures to find and give notice to the persons.

(c) All persons named in subdivisions (a)(1)-(3) of this section and subdivision (a)(6) of this section shall be made defendants and served as required by this subchapter, except that all actions filed pursuant to 9-27-310(b)(4)(D) shall be required to name as defendants only the mother, the putative father, and the presumed legal father, if any.

(d) (1) The petition shall set forth the following in plain and concise words:

(A) The facts that, if proven, would bring the family or juvenile within the court's jurisdiction;

(B) The section of this subchapter upon which jurisdiction for the petition is based;

(C) The relief requested by the petitioner; and

(D) If a petition for delinquency proceedings, any and all sections of the criminal laws allegedly violated.

(2) (A) The petition shall be supported by an affidavit of facts.

(B) A supporting affidavit of facts shall not be required for delinquency, paternity, or termination of parental rights petitions.

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