Pua v. Pua

Opinion

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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF GUAM

HUWUN L. PUA, DOMESTIC CASE NO. DM0302-20

Plaintiff,

VS. DECISION AND ORDER (Plaintiff’s Motion for Order Allowing SYLVAN A. PUA, Service by Publication) Defendant.

This matter is before the Honorable Dana A. Gutierrez pursuant to Plaintiff Huiyun L.

Pua’s (“Plaintiff’) Motion for Order Allowing Service by Publication (“Motion”). Attorney

Gary Gumataotao represents Plaintiff, and Defendant Sylvan A. Pua (“Defendant”) has not yet

been sewed or made an appearance. Based on a review of the record and applicable law, the

Court hereby DENIES Plaintiff’s Motion.

DISCUSSION

Plaintiff’s Motion alleges that Defendant Sylvan A. Pua (“Defendant”) does not reside in

Guam and afier due diligence cannot be found in Guam; however, Plaintiff’s Motion was filed

without an accompanying affidavit. Motion, at 2 (Oct. 14, 2020). Plaintiff’s Verified Complaint

for Divorce states that Defendant’s last known address is 788 Pagan Loop Road, Capitol Hill,

Saipan, CNIvII 96950. Complaint, at 1 (Sept. 10, 2020).

Rule 4 of the Guam Rules of Civil Procedure (“GRCP”) only allows for service through

publication and mailing as permitted by statute or court order. GRCP Rule 4(o). Title 7 GCA §

14106 is the controlling statute, and specifically allows for service by publication and mailing . . DECISION AND ORDER (Plaintiff’s Motion for Order Allowing Service by Publication) DM0302-20; Huzvun L Pua v. Sylvan A. Pua

instead of personal service under GRCP Rule 4(e)(l) or (2), only when “the person on whom

service is to be made has departed from Guam, and cannot, after due diligence, be found in

Guam, or conceals himself to avoid the service of summons . . . or who, after due diligence,

cannot be found in Guam, and the fact appears by affidavit to the satisfaction of the court.” 7

GCA § 14106 (emphasis added).

First, Plaintiff’s Motion is deficient because it is unaccompanied by an affidavit which is

explicitly required under 7 GCA § 14106. Second, Plaintiff’s request is based on the assertion

that Defendant cannot be found on Guam; however, service by publication and mailing under 7

GCA § 14106, in lieu of personal service under GRCP Rule 4, constitutes substituted service

which should be permitted in limited circumstances.

Title 7 GCA § 14106 was adopted from the California Code of Civil Procedure (“CCCP”) § § 412.10, et. seq. Particularly, California permits service by publication under CCCP

§ 415.50, which is substantively similar to 7 GCA § 14106. Where a Guam statute is derived from a California statute, California cases interpreting the statute are highly persuasive, and the

Superior Court of Guam should follow California precedent unless there is a compelling reason

to deviate from the California law. See, e.g., People v. Hall, 2004 Guam 12 ¶ 18; Fajardo v.

Liberty House Guam, 2000 Guam 4 ¶ 17; Cruz v. Cruz, 2005 Guam 3 ¶9.

When serving a summons, “[ajil means other than personal delivery to the defendant are

considered substituted service, and personal service must have been diligently attempted before

substituted service may be performed.” Bonita Packing Co. v. O’Sullivan, 165 F.R.D. 610, 613

(C.D. Cal. 1995). The notions of fair play and due process require that substituted service by publication be “a last resort when reasonable diligence to locate a person in order to give him

notice” have been made “before resorting to the fictional notice afforded by publication[.J”

2 A

DECISION AND ORDER (Plaintiff’s Motion for Order Allowing Service by Publication) DM0302-20; Huzvun L. Pua v. Sylvan A. Pua

Calvert v. Al Dinah, 29 Cal. App. 5th 954, 241 Cal. Rptr. 3d 42, 49-50 (Cal. App. 2018) (internal

citations omitted).

In light of California case law regarding service by publication, this Court finds that 7

GCA § 14106 provides a method of substituted service to be employed only where personal

service is impracticable, unavailable, or where diligent efforts have been unavailing. See

Calvert, 241 Cal. Rptr. 3d at 49-50; Olvera v. Otvera, 232 Cal. App. 3d 32, 283 Cal. Rptr. 271,

277 (Cal. App. 1991); Donet, Inc. v. Badalian, 87 Cal. App. 3d 327, 150 Cal. Rptr. 855, 858

(Cal. App. 1978).

Here, Plaintiff identifies a known address for Defendant which is located in Saipan.

Complaint, at 1 (Sept. 10, 2020). further, Plaintiff does not detail any efforts made to personally

serve Defendant at his known address, and as previously mentioned, Plaintiff’s Motion is

unaccompanied by affidavit as required under 7 GCA § 14106. Prior to exercising due diligence

to serve Defendant by other means reasonably calculated to give actual notice—such as personal

service—and detailing such efforts by affidavit, it is improper for Plaintiff to request for service

by publication and mailing on the Defendant, whose residence is known.

CONCLUSION

for the foregoing reasons, Plaintiff’s Motion for Order Allowing Service by Publication

is hereby DENIED.

SO ORDERED this 26th day of March, 2021.

acknowledge that an electronic copy of the original was e-mailed to;

Date: imeA,

Deputasrlcsupror eouilof Guam 3