§ 48-3-501. Petitioner entitled to custody in direct placement adoptions. - North Carolina Statutes

Part 5. Custody of Minors Pending Final Decree of Adoption.

§ 48‑3‑501. Petitioner entitled to custody in direct placement adoptions.

Unless the court ordersotherwise, when a parent or guardian places the adoptee directly with thepetitioner, the petitioner acquires that parent's or guardian's right to legaland continuing physical custody of the adoptee and becomes a person responsiblefor the care and support of the adoptee, after the earliest of:

(1)        The execution ofconsent by the parent or guardian who placed the adoptee;

(2)        The filing of apetition for adoption by the petitioner; or

(3)        The execution of adocument by a parent or guardian having legal and physical custody of a minortemporarily transferring custody to the petitioner, pending the execution of aconsent. (1949, c. 300; 1995, c. 457, s. 2.)