§ 9-9-206 - Persons required to consent to adoption -- Consideration for relinquishing minor for adoption. - Arkansas Statutes

9-9-206. Persons required to consent to adoption -- Consideration for relinquishing minor for adoption.

(a) Unless consent is not required under 9-9-207, a petition to adopt a minor may be granted only if written consent to a particular adoption has been executed by:

(1) The mother of the minor;

(2) The father of the minor if the father was married to the mother at the time the minor was conceived or at any time thereafter, the minor is his child by adoption, he has physical custody of the minor at the time the petition is filed, he has a written order granting him legal custody of the minor at the time the petition for adoption is filed, a court has adjudicated him to be the legal father prior to the time the petition for adoption is filed, or he proves a significant custodial, personal, or financial relationship existed with the minor before the petition for adoption is filed;

(3) Any person lawfully entitled to custody of the minor or empowered to consent;

(4) The court having jurisdiction to determine custody of the minor, if the legal guardian or custodian of the person of the minor is not empowered to consent to the adoption;

(5) The minor, if more than ten (10) years of age, unless the court in the best interest of the minor dispenses with the minor's consent; and

(6) The spouse of the minor to be adopted.

(b) A petition to adopt an adult may be granted only if written consent to adoption has been executed by the adult and the adult's spouse.

(c) Under no circumstances may a parent or guardian of a minor receive a fee, compensation, or any other thing of value as a consideration for the relinquishment of a minor for adoption. However, incidental costs for prenatal, delivery, and postnatal care may be assessed, including reasonable housing costs, food, clothing, general maintenance, and medical expenses, if they are reimbursements for expenses incurred or fees for services rendered. Any parent or guardian who unlawfully accepts compensation or any other thing of value as a consideration for the relinquishment of a minor shall be guilty of a Class C felony.