§ 48-3-602. Consent of incompetent parents. - North Carolina Statutes

§48‑3‑602.  Consent of incompetent parents.

If a parent as described inG.S. 48‑3‑601 has been adjudicated incompetent, then the courtshall appoint a guardian ad litem for that parent and, unless the child alreadyhas a guardian, a guardian ad litem for the child to make a full investigationas to whether the adoption should proceed. The investigation shall include anevaluation of the parent's current condition and any reasonable likelihood thatthe parent will be restored to competency, the relationship between the childand the incompetent parent, alternatives to adoption, and any other relevantfact or circumstance.  If the court determines after a hearing on the matterthat it will be in the best interest of the child for the adoption to proceed,the court shall order the guardian ad litem of the parent to execute a consentfor that parent. (1949, c. 300; 1953, c. 906; 1961, c. 186; 1969, c.911, s. 7; c. 982; 1975, c. 702, ss. 1‑3; 1977, c. 879, s. 5; 1985, c.758, ss. 10, 11; 1995, c. 457, s. 2; 1997‑215, s. 11(d).)