Maryland Family Law Section 5-321

CAUTION: READ FULL TEXT OF SECTION FOR SPECIAL NOTE

      The provisions of §§ 5-320, 5-323(d), 5-327(c), and 5-328 of this subtitle do not apply in the case of:

            (1)      an adoption by the spouse of the natural parent of the adoptee; or

            (2)      an adoption by a relative of the natural parent of the adoptee.

** SPECIAL NOTE: EFFECTIVE - JANUARY 1, 2006 - CHAPTER 464 - 2005 **

      (a)      (1)      Consent of a parent to guardianship may include a waiver of the right to notice of:

                  (i)      the filing of a petition under this subtitle; and

                  (ii)      a hearing under this subtitle.

            (2)      Consent to guardianship entered into before a judge on the record shall include a waiver of a revocation period.

            (3)      Consent of a party to guardianship is not valid unless:

                  (i)      the consent is given in a language that the party understands;

                  (ii)      if given in a language other than English, the consent:

                        1.      is given before a judge on the record; or

                        2.      is accompanied by the affidavit of a translator stating that the translation of the document of consent is accurate;

                  (iii)      the party has received written notice or on the record notice before a judge of:

                        1.      the revocation provisions in subsections (a)(2) and (c)(1) of this section;

                        2.      the search rights of adoptees and parents under § 5-359 of this subtitle and the search rights of adoptees, parents, and siblings under Subtitle 4B of this title; and

                        3.      the right to file a disclosure veto under § 5-359 of this subtitle;

                  (iv)      if signed after counsel enters an appearance for a parent, the consent is accompanied by an affidavit of counsel stating that:

                        1.      counsel reviewed the consent with the parent; and

                        2.      the parent consents knowingly and voluntarily; and

                  (v)      the consent is accompanied by an affidavit of counsel appointed under § 5-307(a) of this subtitle stating that a parent who is a minor or has a disability consents knowingly and voluntarily.

      (b)      (1)      Whenever a local department receives consent to guardianship of an individual before a guardianship petition is filed, the local department promptly shall:

                  (i)      file the consent in the individual's CINA case; and

                  (ii)      serve a copy of the consent on:

                        1.      each living parent of the individual;

                        2.      the parent's last attorney of record in the CINA case; and

                        3.      the individual's last attorney of record in the CINA case.

            (2)      Whenever a party obtains consent to guardianship after a guardianship petition is filed, the party promptly shall:

                  (i)      file the consent with the juvenile court in which the petition is pending; and

                  (ii)      serve a copy of the consent on each other party.

      (c)      (1)      Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person may revoke consent to guardianship any time within the later of:

                  (i)      30 days after the person signs the consent; or

                  (ii)      30 days after the consent is filed as required under this section.

            (2)      Consent to guardianship under subsection (a)(2) of this section is irrevocable.

      (d)      If, at any time before a juvenile court enters an order for adoption of a child, the juvenile court finds that a condition for guardianship will not be fulfilled, the consent or acquiescence becomes invalid.