Section 15-11-423. (Effective January 1, 2014) Issuance of summons

   (a) The court shall direct the issuance of a summons to the child alleged to be a child in need of services, his or her parent, guardian, or legal custodian, DFCS and any other public agencies or institutions providing services, and any other persons who appear to the court to be proper or necessary parties to such child in need of services proceeding requiring them to appear before the court at the time fixed to answer the allegations of the petition seeking an adjudication that a child is in need of services. A copy of such petition shall accompany the summons.

(b) The summons shall state that a party is entitled to an attorney in the proceedings and that the court will appoint an attorney if the party is an indigent person.

(c) A party other than a child may waive service of summons by written stipulation or by voluntary appearance at the hearing.

Code 1981, § 15-11-423, enacted by Ga. L. 2013, p. 294, § 1-1/HB 242.