2020 Maine Revised Statutes
TITLE 18-C: PROBATE CODE
Article 9: ADOPTION
Part 3: ADOPTION PROCEDURES
18-C §9-303. Petition

§9-303. Petition

1.  Sworn; contents.  A petition for adoption must be sworn to by the petitioner and must include:  

A. The full name, age and place of residence of the petitioner and, if married, the place and date of marriage;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

B. The date and place of birth of the adoptee, if known;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

C. The birth name of the adoptee, any other names by which the adoptee has been known and the adoptee's proposed new name, if any;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

D. The residence of the adoptee at the time of the filing of the petition;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

E. A statement of the petitioner's intention to establish a parent-child relationship between the petitioner and the adoptee and a statement that the petitioner is a fit and proper person able to care and provide for the adoptee's welfare;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

F. The names and addresses of all persons or agencies known to the petitioner that affect the custody of, visitation with or access to the adoptee;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

G. The relationship, if any, of the petitioner to the adoptee;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

H. The names and addresses of the department and the licensed child-placing agency, if any;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

I. The names and addresses of all persons known to the petitioner at the time of filing from whom consent to the adoption is required; and   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

J. If the petition is for the adoption of a minor child, a statement that the petitioner acknowledges that after the adoption is finalized, the transfer of the long-term care and custody of the adoptee without a court order is prohibited under Title 17‑A, section 553, subsection 1, paragraphs C and D.   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

2.  Information to be shared and updated.  A petitioner shall indicate to the court what information the petitioner is willing to share with the parents and under what circumstances and shall provide a mechanism for updating that information.  

[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

3.  Caption.  The caption of a petition for adoption may be styled "In the Matter of the Adoption Petition of (name of adoptee)." The petitioner must also be designated in the caption.  

[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW). PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. F, §1 (AFF). PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).