Section 5-3A-32 – Hearing on Adoption Petition
A court shall hold a hearing before entering an order for adoption under this subtitle.
Section 5-3A-33 – Time Limits
A court may not enter an order for adoption under this subtitle until 30 days after entry of a guardianship order under this subtitle.
Section 5-3A-34 – Considerations
(a) In ruling on a petition for a child’s adoption under this Part III of this subtitle, a court shall consider: (1) all factors necessary to determine the child’s best interests; and (2) the report required under § 5-3A-31 of this subtitle. (b) In ruling on an adoption petition under this Part III of this subtitle, a court may […]
Section 5-3A-35 – Authority to Grant Adoption
(a) A court may enter an order for a child’s adoption under this subtitle only if: (1) the child placement agency consents; and (2) for a child who is at least 10 years old, the child consents. (b) (1) (i) In this subsection, “disability” means: 1. a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of an individual’s major life […]
Section 5-3A-36 – Order for Adoption
(a) (1) This subsection does not limit the right of an individual to provide for distribution of property by will. (2) Except as provided in § 2-123 of the Real Property Article, after a court enters an order for adoption under this subtitle: (i) the adoptee: 1. is the child of the adoptive parent for all intents and purposes; and […]
Section 5-3A-37 – Petition to Invalidate
If a petition to invalidate an order for adoption under this subtitle on the basis of a jurisdictional or procedural defect is filed more than 1 year after entry of the order, a court shall dismiss the petition.
Section 5-3A-19 – Consent
(a) (1) Consent of a parent may include a waiver of the right to notice of: (i) the filing of a petition under this subtitle; and (ii) further proceedings under this subtitle. (2) Consent to guardianship is not valid unless the consent: (i) is given after the child for whom guardianship is sought is born; (ii) is given in a language that […]
Section 5-3A-20 – Grant of Guardianship — Consensual
(a) If all consents for guardianship of a child have been given in accordance with this subtitle, a court may enter an order for guardianship. (b) (1) Within 5 days after entry of an order under this section, a court shall notify each party to the case who has not waived the right to notice. (2) Notice under this […]
Section 5-3A-03 – Statement of Findings; Purposes
(a) The General Assembly finds that the policies and procedures of this subtitle are desirable and socially necessary. (b) The purposes of this subtitle are to: (1) timely provide permanent and safe homes for children consistent with their best interests; (2) protect children from unnecessary separation from their parents; (3) ensure adoption only by individuals fit for the responsibility; (4) protect […]
Section 5-3A-21 – Contents of Order
In an order entered under this subtitle, a court shall document: (1) the response by each party to the guardianship petition; and (2) the waiver, if any, of a parent to notice of further proceedings.