Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 76A.djvu/789

–693– -693§ 427. Action for relief from obligation to support parent (a) An adult person may file in the division of the district court where his parent resides a verified complaint alleging that: (1) while the plaintiff was a minor, he was abandoned by the parent, and the abandonment continued for a period of two or more years prior to the time the plaintiff reached the age of 18 years; and (2) the parent, during the period provided for by paragraph (1) of this subsection, was physically and mentally able to support the plaintiff— and praying the court to free the plaintiff from the obligation otherwise imposed by law to support the parent. (b) Upon the filing of a complaint under subsection (a) of this section, the clerk shall set it for nearing by the court, and issue a sunmions directed to the parent setting forth the time and place of the hearing. The summons and a copy of the complaint shall be personally served on the parent, in the same manner as that provided by law for the service of a summons in civil actions, at least five days before the time of hearing. If, upon the hearing, the court determines that the allegations in the complaint are true, it shall render a judgment granting the relief prayed tor. (c) A person released from the obligation to support a parent, as provided in this section, shall be deemed to be so released with respect to any law of the Canal Zone under which a child is required to pay for the support, care, maintenance, and the like, of a parent. § 428. Parent's liability for necessaries or support (a) If a parent neglects to provide articles necessary for his child under his charge, according to his circumstances, a third person may in good faith supply them, and recover the reasonable value thereof from the parent. / (b) A parent is not bound to compensate the other parent or a relative for the voluntary support of his child, without an agreement for compensation. (c) A parent is not bound to compensate a stranger for the support of a child who has abandoned the parent without just cause. § 429. Wife's children by former marriage A husband is not bound to maintain his wife's children by a former husband; but if he receives them into his family and supports them, it is presumed that he does so as a parent, and they are not liable to him for their support, nor he to them for their services. § 430. Compensation and support of adult child Where a child, after attaining majority, continues to serve and to be supported by the parent, neither party is entitled to compensation, in the absence of an agreement therefor. § 431. Penalty for abandonment or failure to support wife or child A husband, or a parent, lawfully chargeable with the support or maintenance of the wife or child, who abandons, or willfully fails, without lawful excuse, to furnish support or maintenance to the wife or child, shall be fined not more than $100 or imprisoned in jail not more than 30 days or both.

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