(a) When it is necessary to make any person a party defendant in any partition proceedings brought under the provisions of this article for partition sale of land, or any interest therein and the plaintiff, after exercising reasonable diligence, is unable to locate the whereabouts, and to ascertain whether any such defendant is alive at the time of the filing of the complaint, the facts showing just what diligence the plaintiff has exercised must be specifically alleged in the complaint, and such defendant may then be made a party, by publication as in the case of unknown defendants, in his name followed by the words: ” ____ and his heirs or devisees, if deceased.” If the defendant so sued does not appear in person or by attorney before expiration of the time for filing pleadings in the case, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to represent his interest. A valid judgment may be entered against such defendant, binding on both him and his heirs or devisees, regardless of whether it be later shown that such defendant was or was not living at the time of the filing of the complaint.

Terms Used In Alabama Code 35-6-25

  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Pleadings: Written statements of the parties in a civil case of their positions. In the federal courts, the principal pleadings are the complaint and the answer.
(b) This section is cumulative.
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