§ 48-2-605. Hearing on petition to adopt an adult. - North Carolina Statutes

§48‑2‑605.  Hearing on petition to adopt an adult.

(a)        At the hearing on apetition to adopt an adult, the prospective adoptive parent and the adopteeshall both appear in person, unless the court waives this requirement forcause, in which event an appearance may be made for either or both of them byan attorney authorized in writing to make the appearance.

(b)        At the hearing, thecourt shall grant the petition for adoption upon finding by a preponderance ofthe evidence all of the following:

(1)        At least 30 dayshave elapsed since the filing of the petition for adoption, but the court forcause may waive this requirement;

(2)        Notice of thepetition has been served on any person entitled to receive notice under Part 4of this Article;

(3)        Each necessary consent,waiver, document, or judicial order has been obtained and filed with the court;

(4)        The adoption isentered into freely and without duress or undue influence for the purpose ofcreating the relation of parent and child between each petitioner and theadoptee, and each petitioner and the adoptee understand the consequences of theadoption; and

(5)        There has beensubstantial compliance with the provisions of this Chapter. (1967,c. 880, s. 3; 1969, c. 21, ss. 3‑6; 1971, c. 1231, s. 1; 1973, c. 849, s.3; 1975, c. 91; 1981, c. 657; 1989, c. 208; c. 727, s. 219(4); 1993, c. 553, s.14; 1995, c. 457, s. 2.)