2016 Maryland Code
Family Law
Title 5 - Children
Subtitle 3 - Guardianship to and Adoption Through Local Department
Part III - Adoption Without Prior Termination of Parental Rights
§ 5-341. Order for adoption

(a) Effect on parent-child relationship. --

(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 juvenile court enters an order for adoption under this Part III of this subtitle:

(i) the adoptee:

1. is the child of the adoptive parent for all intents and purposes; and

2. is entitled to all of the rights and privileges of and is subject to all of the obligations of offspring born to the adoptive parent;

(ii) each of the adoptee's living parents is:

1. relieved of all parental duties and obligations to the adoptee; and

2. divested of all parental rights as to the adoptee; and

(iii) the Estates and Trusts Article shall govern all of the rights of inheritance between the adoptee and parental relatives.

(b) Effect on pending cases. -- An order for adoption under this Part III of this subtitle terminates all pending CINA cases as to the adoptee.

(c) Adoption of adults. -- Adoption of an adult has the same legal effect as adoption of a minor.

(d) Notice of order. --

(1) When a juvenile court enters an order for a child's adoption under this Part III of this subtitle, the juvenile court shall send notice to:

(i) each juvenile court that has a pending CINA case as to the adoptee;

(ii) each of the child's living, former parents who has not waived the right to notice;

(iii) each living parent's last attorney of record in the CINA case; and

(iv) the child's last attorney of record in the CINA case.

(2) Service on a parent under this subsection shall be at the parent's last address known to the juvenile court.