US Lawyer Database

Section 5-3A-09 – Costs

    A court may assign among the parties to a case under this subtitle, as the court considers appropriate, counsel fees and the cost of testing under § 5-3A-06 of this subtitle.

Section 5-3A-10 – Appeal

    A party to a case under this subtitle may appeal to the Court of Special Appeals from an interlocutory or final order.

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-05 – Foreign Orders

    (a)    In this section, “order” includes any action that, under the laws of another jurisdiction, has the force and effect of a comparable judicial order under this subtitle.     (b)    In accordance with the United States Constitution, this State shall accord full faith and credit to:         (1)    an order of another state as to adoption or guardianship in compliance […]

Section 5-3A-06 – Paternity

    (a)    Unless a court excludes a man as the father of a child, a man is the father if:         (1)    the man was married to the child’s mother at the time of the child’s conception;         (2)    the man was married to the child’s mother at the time of the child’s birth;         (3)    the man is named as the father […]

Section 5-3A-07 – Appointed Counsel

    (a)    (1)    In a case under this subtitle, a court shall appoint an attorney to represent a parent who:             (i)    has a disability that makes the parent incapable of effectively participating in the case; or             (ii)    when the parent must decide whether to consent under this subtitle, is still a minor.         (2)    To determine whether a disability makes a parent […]

Section 5-3A-08 – Agreement for Postadoption Contact

    (a)    (1)    A prospective adoptive parent and parent of a prospective adoptee under this subtitle may enter into a written agreement to allow contact, after the adoption, between:             (i)    the parent or other relative of the adoptee; and             (ii)    the adoptee or adoptive parent.         (2)    An adoptive parent and former parent of an adoptee under this subtitle may enter into […]

Section 5-3A-01 – Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.     (b)    “Child” means an individual who is the subject of a guardianship or adoption petition under this subtitle.     (c)    “Guardianship” means an award, under this subtitle, of any power of a guardian.     (d)    “Identifying information” means information that reveals the identity or location of an individual.     (e)    (1)    “Parent” means […]

Section 5-3A-02 – Scope of Subtitle

    (a)    This subtitle applies only to:         (1)    guardianship by a child placement agency of a child other than a child in need of assistance; and         (2)    adoption of the child.     (b)    Except as expressly provided in this subtitle, this subtitle does not apply to any case pending on or before December 31, 2005.