§35-6-25. Service of process on certain parties defendant; guardian ad litem; judgment not affected by death of defendant; section cumulative.

(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.

(b) This section is cumulative.

(Acts 1965, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 100, p. 133.)