Section 5-345 - Petition. - Maryland Statutes

§ 5-345. Petition.
 

(a)  Authorized.- If, after termination of parental rights as to a child, there is an open guardianship case, a petition for adoption of the child may be filed only as provided in this Part IV of this subtitle. 

(b)  Petitioner.-  

(1) Any adult may petition a juvenile court for an adoption under this Part IV of this subtitle. 

(2) If a petitioner under this section is married, the petitioner's spouse shall join in the petition unless the spouse: 

(i) is separated from the petitioner under a circumstance that gives the petitioner a ground for annulment or divorce; or 

(ii) is not competent to join in the petition. 

(c)  Contents.-  

(1) A petitioner under this section shall attach to a petition: 

(i) 1. all written consents required under § 5-350 of this subtitle; or 

2. if applicable: 

A. proof of guardianship or relinquishment of parental rights granted by an administrative, executive, or judicial body of a state or other jurisdiction; and 

B. certification that the guardianship or relinquishment was granted in compliance with the jurisdiction's laws; 

(ii) a copy of an agreement, if any, for postadoption contact; and 

(iii) a notice of filing that: 

1. states the date on which the petition was filed; 

2. identifies each governmental unit or person whose consent was filed with the petition; 

3. if applicable, states that a postadoption agreement was filed with the petition; and 

4. includes no identifying information that would be in violation of an agreement or consent. 

(2) In addition to a copy of an agreement for postadoption contact, a petitioner shall file the original agreement under seal. 

(d)  Amended petition.- If the marital status of a petitioner changes before entry of an order, the petitioner shall amend the petition accordingly. 
 

[2005, ch. 464, § 3.]