(a) A district may seek the abandonment of an interment plot in a cemetery owned by the district pursuant to this section. (b) The board of trustees shall file a petition with the superior court of the principal county which contains all of the following: (1) An identification of the interment plot that the district desires to be declared abandoned. (2) A statement that the district has made a diligent search to locate the present owner of the interment plot. (3) A statement that the present owner of the interment plot is unknown to the district. (4) A statement that, to the best knowledge of the district, at least 50 years have passed since any portion of the interment plot has been used for interment purposes. (5) A statement that, after a reasonable physical investigation of the interment plot, the interment plot has not been used for the interment of human remains. (6) A request that the court declare the interment plot abandoned. (c) Upon the filing of a petition pursuant to subdivision (b), the clerk of the superior court shall set a time for a hearing on the petition. (d) After the clerk of the superior court has set the hearing, the district shall give notice of the courtâs hearing. The notice shall identify the interment plot that the district desires to be declared abandoned, state the name and address of the last known owner of the interment plot, state that the court will hold a hearing to determine whether to declare the interment plot abandoned, and state the time and place of the courtâs hearing. The district shall give notice of the courtâs hearing by publishing a notice pursuant to Section 6061 of the Government Code in at least one newspaper of general circulation within the jurisdiction of the district at least 10 days before the hearing. The district shall post the public notice in at least three public places within the jurisdiction of the district, at least 10 days before the hearing. One of the public places shall be at the interment plot that the district desires to be declared abandoned, and one of the public places shall be at the offices of the district. In addition, the district shall mail the notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, at least 10 days before the hearing to the last known owner of the interment plot. (e) At the time set for the hearing, the superior court shall hear and consider any evidence that is introduced in favor or, and any objections to, the abandonment of the interment plot. The court may continue its hearing from time to time. The court shall determine from the evidence presented whether the facts stated in the districtâs petition are true. The court shall dismiss any portion of the districtâs petition if the court determines that any of the facts stated in that portion of the petition are not true, or if the court determines the identity of the present owner of the interment plot. If the court determines that the facts stated in the districtâs petition are true, the court may order that the interment plot shall be deemed abandoned and full title shall revert to the district. The superior courtâs order shall not become final until one year after the date on which the court made its order. (f) Within 30 days after the date on which the superior court made its order, the district shall give notice of the courtâs order. The notice shall identify the interment plot that the district desires to be declared abandoned, state the name and address of the last known owner of the interment plot, and state the date on which the courtâs order will be final. The district shall give notice of the courtâs order by publishing a notice pursuant to Section 6061 of the Government Code in at least one newspaper of general circulation within the jurisdiction of the district. The district shall post the public notice in at least three public places within the jurisdiction of the district. One of the public places shall be at the interment plot that the district desir
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