Minn. R. Civ. In this case, service of the petition by mail to appellant's two last-known addresses was returned, forwarding address unknown. She found no one who knew his exact location. We reject appellant's argument that because respondent did not first attempt personal service in Jordan, service of process was invalid. Based on respondent's compliance with the statute, her affidavit, appellant's attempt to keep his address secret, and his refusal to allow his attorney to accept service of process, we hold the district court correctly determined service by publication was both necessary and sufficient.
Jurisdictional disputes are legal questions to be reviewed de novo.
First, the court must look to section three of the Act to determine whether it, in fact, does have jurisdiction. If it determines it does, its inquiry next focuses on whether another custody proceeding is pending in a court of another state which likewise has jurisdiction pursuant to the provisions of section three of the Act. Finally, if dual jurisdiction exists, the inconvenient forum issue must be addressed. In this case, at the time of filing, the three children had been living with their mother in Minnesota for six and one-half months. In this case, all three children and their mother reside in Minnesota.