Terms Used In Maryland Code, FAMILY LAW 5-352

  • Adult: means an individual at least 18 years old. See
  • minor: means an individual under the age of 18 years. See
  • Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land.
(a) (1) This subsection does not limit the right of an individual to provide for distribution of property by will.

(2) Except as provided in § 2-123 of the Real Property Article, after a juvenile court enters an order for adoption under this Part IV of this subtitle:

(i) the adoptee:

1. is the child of the adoptive parent for all intents and purposes; and

2. is entitled to all of the rights and privileges of and is subject to all of the obligations of offspring born to the adoptive parent;

(ii) each of the adoptee’s living parents is:

1. relieved of all parental duties and obligations to the adoptee; and

2. divested of all parental rights as to the adoptee; and

(iii) the Estates and Trusts Article shall govern all of the rights of inheritance between the adoptee and parental relatives.

(b) An order for adoption under this Part IV of this subtitle terminates all pending guardianship cases as to the adoptee.

(c) Adoption of an adult has the same legal effect as adoption of a minor.

(d) (1) When a juvenile court enters an order for a child’s adoption under this Part IV of this subtitle, the juvenile court shall send notice to:

(i) each juvenile court that has a pending guardianship case as to the adoptee;

(ii) each of the child’s living, former parents who has not waived the right to notice;

(iii) the former parent’s last attorney of record in the guardianship case; and

(iv) the child’s last attorney of record in the guardianship case.

(2) Service on a former parent under this subsection shall be at the parent’s last address known to the juvenile court.