§ 5-3B-13. Petition

   (a) Eligible adoptee. -- Any adult or minor may be adopted under this subtitle.

(b) Petitioner. --

   (1) Any adult may petition a court for adoption.

   (2) If a petitioner 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;

      (ii) is not competent to join in the petition; or

      (iii) 1. is a parent of the prospective adoptee; and

         2. has consented to the adoption in accordance with this subtitle.

(c) Pending case. -- Before a petition is filed under this subtitle, a petitioner shall move for, and a court shall order that, a case pending under Subtitle 3 of this title be closed.

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

HISTORY: 2005, ch. 464, § 3.