41-3-428. Service of process -- service by publication -- effect. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, service of process must be made as provided in the Montana Rules of Civil Procedure.

(2) If a person cannot be served personally or by certified mail, the person may be served by publication as provided in 41-3-429. Publication constitutes conclusive evidence of service, and a hearing must then proceed at the time and date set, with or without the appearance of the person served by publication. At or after the hearing, the court may issue an order that will adjudicate the interests of the person served by publication.

(3) If a parent cannot be identified or found prior to the initial hearings allowed by part 4, the court may grant the following relief, pending service by publication on the parent who cannot be identified or found and based upon service of process on only the parent, guardian, or other person having legal custody of the child:

(a) immediate protection;

(b) temporary investigative authority; and

(c) temporary legal custody.