reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
13 DE Code § 903. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter I. Minors|§ 903. Persons eligible to petition to adopt.

§ 903. Persons eligible to petition to adopt. To be eligible to petition the Family Court for an order authorizing the petitioner or petitioners to adopt a child not his, hers, or theirs, the petitioner or petitioners must satisfy the three following requirements:  (1) Either be:  a. A resident of Delaware at the time of filing the petition; or b. A person with whom a child has been placed for adoption under § 904 of this title; and (2) Either be:  a. An unmarried person petitioning individually; b. A divorced or legally separated person petitioning individually;  c. A married couple petitioning jointly, provided they are not legally separated or living apart from each other; or d. A nonmarried couple petitioning jointly, provided that they are cohabiting, as that term is defined in §  1512(g) of this title; and (3) Be over the age of 21 at the time of filing the petition Nothing herein shall affect the right of any person to adopt a person who has reached age 18 as provided in subchapter II of this chapter. Code 1935, §  3551;  41 Del. Laws, c. 187, §  1;  48 Del. Laws, c. 134, §  2;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  903;  49 Del. Laws, c. 385;  57 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  2;  59 Del. Laws, c. 466, §  3;  62 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  1;  68 Del. Laws, c. 259, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  82 Del. Laws, c. 171, § 1;
13 DE Code § 904. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter I. Minors|§ 904. Placement and supervision for adoption.

§ 904. Placement and supervision for adoption. (a) No petition for adoption shall be presented unless prior to the filing of the petition the child sought to be adopted has been placed for adoption by the Department, a licensed agency or an authorized agency, and the placement has been supervised by the Department or a licensed agency, but no such placement or supervision shall be necessary in the case of:  (1) A child sought to be adopted by a stepparent; (2) A child sought to be adopted by a blood relative, except as provided in § 926 of this title; (3) A child sought to be adopted by a guardian or permanent guardian so long as guardianship or permanent guardianship has been granted for at least 6 months prior to filing the adoption petition. (b) No placement for an identified adoption in which an intermediary has been involved shall be approved or permitted by the Department or a licensed agency. (c) No child shall be placed for adoption in this State pursuant to § 926 of this title unless the placement is approved and supervised by the Department or a licensed agency. (d) When the prospective adoptive parents are legal residents of the State, but live elsewhere, the approval and supervision required by this section shall be provided by an authorized agency located in close proximity to the family, as will the social report required by § 912 of this title. (e) An adoptive placement shall not be made until a preplacement evaluation that complies with the Delaware Requirements for Child Placing Agencies has been completed by the Department or licensed agency. Code 1935, §  3551A;  48 Del. Laws, c. 134, §  3;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  904;  57 Del. Laws, c. 363, §  3;  64 Del. Laws, c. 108, §  6;  68 Del. Laws, c. 259, §  1;  73 Del. Laws, c. 171, §  1;  77 Del. Laws, c. 32, §  1;
13 DE Code § 905. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter I. Minors|§ 905. Appeal from decision of the Department or licensed agency.

§ 905. Appeal from decision of the Department or licensed agency. In any case where the Department or a licensed agency refuses to place a child for adoption when requested by the parent of the child, or refuses the request of any person that a child be placed with him or her for adoption, or terminates any placement prior to adoption contrary to the wishes of the birth parent or prospective adoptive parent of the child, the decision of the Department or a licensed agency in so refusing or so terminating shall be final unless within 30 days after notice of refusal or termination, the birth parent or proposed adoptive parent shall appeal to the Family Court of the county in which the adoption is proposed. The Department or licensed agency shall not remove a child who is legally free for adoption from an adoptive placement prior to the adoption without good cause. Code 1935, §  3551K;  48 Del. Laws, c. 134, §  3;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  905;  51 Del. Laws, c. 143, §  1;  57 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  2;  62 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  1;  64 Del. Laws, c. 108, §  6;  68 Del. Laws, c. 259, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;
13 DE Code § 907. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter I. Minors|§ 907. Consent requirements.

§ 907. Consent requirements. (a) A petition for adoption shall contain a consent to the proposed adoption. The consent shall be in writing, notarized and attached to the petition as an exhibit. If consent is obtained or given outside this State, it must be executed in accordance with this section and § 908 of this title. (b) A written consent to adoption, duly acknowledged, must be given by any child 14 years of age or over unless the Court, upon further investigation or inquiry, deems it to be in the best interest of the child that such consent be waived. Such consent, when obtained, shall be attached to the petition as an exhibit thereto. Code 1935, §  3551C;  48 Del. Laws, c. 134, §  3;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  907;  57 Del. Laws, c. 363, §  5;  59 Del. Laws, c. 466, §  5;  68 Del. Laws, c. 259, §  1;
13 DE Code § 908. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter I. Minors|§ 908. Right to consent.

§ 908. Right to consent. (a) Except in the case of an adoption by a stepparent or blood relative, no petition for adoption shall be filed unless the child to be adopted is legally free for adoption. The consent to the adoption shall be granted by the Department or by the licensed or authorized agency in whom the parental rights are vested. (b) In the case of an adoption by a stepparent or blood relative, the consent to the adoption shall be granted as follows:  (1) By mother of a child; and (2) The biological father and any presumed father of a child; provided, however, that the consent of the alleged biological father or presumed father need not contain an admission that he is the father. In the event that the named biological or presumed father disclaims paternity, an affidavit signed by him to that effect shall be attached to the petition in lieu of a consent from the natural or presumed father. It is further provided that in the event of a petition containing statements described in § 906(7)b.1., 3. or 4. of this title, after a hearing in which it is established on the record that the mother and father of the child are not living together as husband and wife openly and that they have not done so nor married since the birth of the child, the Court may, following consideration of the social report, dispense with the requirement of the father's consent in compliance with § 932 of this title. (3) If, in the case of an adoption by a stepparent or blood relative, any person from whom consent is required is deceased, a certified copy of the death certificate of such person shall be filed with the petition in lieu of consent. (c) If the individual in whom the right to consent exists is under the age of 18 years, this fact shall not be a bar to the giving of consent nor render the consent when given invalid. Code 1935, §  3551C;  48 Del. Laws, c. 134, §  3;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  908;  57 Del. Laws, c. 363, §  6;  59 Del. Laws, c. 466, §  6;  61 Del. Laws, c. 178, §  1;  68 Del. Laws, c. 259, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;
13 DE Code § 909. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter I. Minors|§ 909. Withdrawal of consent.

§ 909. Withdrawal of consent. In any case in which consent has been given in accordance with the provisions of § 907 of this title, and the person, Department, licensed agency, authorized agency or child over age 14 giving the consent desires to withdraw the consent, he or she shall file, within 60 days from the date of the filing of the adoption petition containing the consent, a petition asking the Court to revoke his or her consent and dismiss the adoption petition. The Family Court shall refer the petition to revoke and dismiss to the Department or licensed agency, and the Department or licensed agency shall, within 30 days of the reference, make a formal report thereon to the Court. Promptly upon receipt of the report, the Court shall rule upon the petition to revoke and dismiss. Code 1935, §  3551D;  48 Del. Laws, c. 134, §  3;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  909;  57 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  2;  62 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  1;  64 Del. Laws, c. 108, §  6;  68 Del. Laws, c. 259, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;
13 DE Code § 910. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter I. Minors|§ 910. Withdrawal of petition.

§ 910. Withdrawal of petition. In any case in which the petition to adopt is withdrawn, the Court may order the removal of the child from the prospective adoptive home if, in the opinion of the Court, such removal is in the best interest of the child. If such a removal is ordered, the Court shall include in the order a grant of authority to the Department or to a licensed agency to make the removal and to provide for the future disposition of the child. Code 1935, §  3551D;  48 Del. Laws, c. 134, §  3;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  910;  64 Del. Laws, c. 108, §  6;  68 Del. Laws, c. 259, §  1;
13 DE Code § 911. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter I. Minors|§ 911. Religious affiliation.

§ 911. Religious affiliation. (a) If either natural parent, in a notarized statement made prior to the placement for adoption, specifies the religion in which he or she desires the child to be raised, the Department or licensed agency shall make placement in accordance with such statement. If the natural parents declare indifference to the religion in which the child should be reared, or if their religion is not known, or if there is none, then the Department or licensed agency shall make placement without regard to religion. (b) If the proposed adoptive parent is a stepparent or blood relative, there shall be no restriction regarding the religious affiliation. (c) Whenever the provisions as set forth in subsection (a) of this section appear to create a hardship for the child to be adopted in obtaining a suitable and prompt placement, the Family Court, in its discretion, may waive these requirements in the best interest of the child. Code 1935, §  3551E;  48 Del. Laws, c. 134, §  3;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  911;  56 Del. Laws, c. 323;  57 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  2;  62 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  1;  68 Del. Laws, c. 259, §  1;
13 DE Code § 912. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter I. Minors|§ 912. Social study and report.

§ 912. Social study and report. (a) Upon the filing of a petition for adoption, the Judge of the Family Court in which the petition has been filed, after determining that the petition has been properly filed and that the petitioner or petitioners are eligible to adopt under this chapter, shall order a social study report by the Department or licensed agency or authorized agency unless the report was filed with the petition. (b) The report shall include:  (1) Information regarding the child, its background, its eligibility for adoption; (2) Information regarding the adoptive parent or parents, and the proposed adoptive home; (3) Information regarding the physical and mental condition of the child; (4) Information regarding the suitability of the placement; (5) A statement as to whether all requirements of this chapter have been complied with; (6) In stepparent/relative cases, a statement that the birth parent whose parental rights are being terminated has been advised of the right to file an affidavit as provided by subchapter III of this chapter; (7) A recommendation. (c) If the placement is made by the Department or licensed agency, the report shall be rendered within 60 days from the receipt of the order for the report unless the report is filed with the petition for adoption. In the case of adoption by a stepparent or blood relative, the report is to be rendered within 60 days following the completion of the social study, and shall include a statement of the cost of the study. (d) If the Court orders any further social investigation or any supplement of the social report, any such investigation shall be conducted and a supplement shall be prepared by the Department or the licensed or authorized agency party to the proceedings. Code 1935, §  3551F;  48 Del. Laws, c. 134, §  3;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  912;  51 Del. Laws, c. 143, §  2;  55 Del. Laws, c. 248, §  2;  57 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  2;  59 Del. Laws, c. 466, §  7;  62 Del. Laws, c. 402, §§  1, 8;  64 Del. Laws, c. 108, §  6;  67 Del. Laws, c. 106, §  3;  68 Del. Laws, c. 259, §  1;  69 Del. Laws, c. 433, §  9;
13 DE Code § 913. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter I. Minors|§ 913. Time for filing the adoption petition.

§ 913. Time for filing the adoption petition. (a) A petition for adoption may be filed when the requirements of § 904 of this title have been met, the child is legally free for adoption, and the adoptive placement of the child has been supervised for a period of 6 months by the Department or licensed agency. (b) In the case of a child to be adopted by a stepparent, guardian, permanent guardian or a blood relative, the petition for adoption shall be filed only after the child has resided in the home of the petitioner for at least 1 year; except that, on recommendation of the Department or licensed agency, a petition may be filed after 6 month's continuous residence of the child in the petitioner's home. In the case of adoption by a stepparent, guardian, permanent guardian or blood relative, it is not necessary that the child be legally free prior to the filing of the petition. Code 1935, §  3551G;  48 Del. Laws, c. 134, §  3;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  913;  51 Del. Laws, c. 143, §  3;  59 Del. Laws, c. 466, §  8;  60 Del. Laws, c. 241, §  5;  64 Del. Laws, c. 108, §  10;  68 Del. Laws, c. 259, §  1;  73 Del. Laws, c. 171, §  2;  77 Del. Laws, c. 32, §  2;
13 DE Code § 914. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter I. Minors|§ 914. Death, divorce, annulment, separation of petitioner pending proceeding.

§ 914. Death, divorce, annulment, separation of petitioner pending proceeding. (a) In the event of the death of a sole petitioner, or of both petitioners, the proceedings shall abate and the petition shall be dismissed. (b) When, after a petition for adoption has been filed, 1 of 2 petitioners dies, or as a result of divorce, annulment or separation, legal or otherwise, the petitioners would no longer be qualified to petition jointly, the proceedings shall be stayed. The Family Court in which the petition was originally filed shall then decide on the basis of a report to be obtained by it from the Department or licensed agency, whether the proceedings shall continue or whether the petition should be dismissed. Code 1935, §  3551O;  48 Del. Laws, c. 134, §  3;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  914;  57 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  2;  62 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  1;  64 Del. Laws, c. 108, §  6;  68 Del. Laws, c. 259, §  1;
13 DE Code § 915. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter I. Minors|§ 915. Decree of adoption.

§ 915. Decree of adoption. (a) Within 60 days from the date of the receipt by the Court of the report, the Court shall render a decision upon the petition. If the Court is of the opinion that the petitioner or petitioners are qualified properly to maintain, care for and educate the child, that the child is suitable for adoption and that the best interest of the child will be promoted by the adoption, a decree of adoption shall be entered. If the Court is of the opinion that such a decree should not be entered, it shall notify the petitioner or petitioners and, if requested by any petitioner, it shall order a hearing to which all interested parties shall be duly summoned, and, based upon the report and evidence adduced at the hearing, the Court shall issue its decree granting or refusing the prayer of the petitioner. (b) At any time after the report has been filed but prior to the Court's rendering a decision, the Court may order the removal of the child from the proposed adoptive home if, in the opinion of the Court, such removal is in the best interest of the child. If such a removal is ordered, the Court shall include in the order a grant of authority to the Department or to a licensed agency, to make the removal and to provide for the future disposition of the child. (c) The decree of adoption shall state:  (1) The name by which the child is henceforth to be known; (2) The sex and age of the child; (3) The name of the child at the time the petition was filed. (d) Upon the entry of a decree of adoption the Clerk of Court shall issue to the adopting parent or parents a certificate of adoption stating the date of the decree, the age and sex of the child, the name by which the child is henceforth to be known, and the names of the adopting parent or parents. Neither the original name of the child nor the names of the birth parents shall be included in the certificate of adoption. Code 1935, §  3551H;  48 Del. Laws, c. 134, §  3;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  915;  55 Del. Laws, c. 248, §§  3, 4;  57 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  2;  60 Del. Laws, c. 241, §  7;  62 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  2;  64 Del. Laws, c. 108, §  6;  68 Del. Laws, c. 259, §  1;
13 DE Code § 916. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter I. Minors|§ 916. Court costs.

§ 916. Court costs. The costs in all cases of adoption under this chapter shall be taxed by the Court on the person or persons filing the petition, and they shall pay the same to the Clerk of Court. 17 Del. Laws, c. 612, §  4;  Code 1915, §  3066;  Code 1935, §  3552;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  916;  62 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  2;  68 Del. Laws, c. 259, §  1;
13 DE Code § 917. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter I. Minors|§ 917. Appeal.

§ 917. Appeal. (a) Appeal from any order or decree entered in any adoption proceedings shall lie to the Supreme Court. No appeal shall lie from any order or decree involving proceedings for adoption unless taken within 30 days from the date of such order or decree. (b) The Department, licensed agency or any person party to the proceedings may file such appeal. (c) In any case in which the effect of the decision of the Supreme Court, on appeal, is to deny the petition for adoption, the Supreme Court shall remand the cause to the Family Court for a determination as to whether or not the child shall remain in the proposed adoptive home. If a removal is ordered, the Family Court shall include in the order a grant of authority to the Department or a licensed agency to make the removal and to provide for the future disposition of the child. Code 1935, §  3551L;  48 Del. Laws, c. 134, §  3;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  917;  57 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  2;  62 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  1;  64 Del. Laws, c. 108, §  6;  68 Del. Laws, c. 259, §  1;
13 DE Code § 918. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter I. Minors|§ 918. Finality of decree of adoption.

§ 918. Finality of decree of adoption. Upon the expiration of 6 months from the date of the entry of the decree of adoption, any irregularities in the proceedings shall be deemed cured, and the validity of such decree shall not thereafter be subject to attack either through collateral or direct proceedings. Code 1935, §  3551L;  48 Del. Laws, c. 134, §  3;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  918;  68 Del. Laws, c. 259, §  1;  73 Del. Laws, c. 171, §  3;
13 DE Code § 919. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter I. Minors|§ 919. General effect of adoption.

§ 919. General effect of adoption. (a) Upon the issuance of the decree of adoption, the adopted child shall be considered the child of the adopting parent or parents, entitled to the same rights and privileges and subject to the same duties and obligations as if he or she had been born to the adopting parent or parents. (b) Upon the issuance of a decree of adoption, the adopted child shall no longer be considered the child of his or her birth parent or parents and shall no longer be entitled to any of the rights or privileges or subject to any of the duties or obligations of a child with respect to the birth parent or parents; but, when a child is adopted by a stepparent his or her relationship to his or her birth parent who is married to the stepparent shall in no way be altered by reason of the adoption. Code 1935, §  3551I;  48 Del. Laws, c. 134, §  3;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  919;  68 Del. Laws, c. 259, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;
13 DE Code § 920. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter I. Minors|§ 920. Effect of adoption on inheritance.

§ 920. Effect of adoption on inheritance. (a) Upon the issuance of a decree of adoption, the adopted child shall lose all rights of inheritance from its natural parent or parents and from their collateral or lineal relatives. The rights of the natural parent or parents or their collateral or lineal relatives to inherit from such child shall cease upon the adoption. (b) Upon the issuance of a decree of adoption, the adopted child shall acquire the right to inherit from its adoptive parent or parents and from the collateral or lineal relatives of such adoptive parent or parents, and the adoptive parent or parents and the collateral or lineal relatives of the adoptive parent or parents shall at the same time acquire the right to inherit from the adopted child. (c) Nothing contained in this section shall limit in any way the right of any person to provide for the disposition of his or her property by will. The rights of a child adopted after the making of a will by the adopting parent or parents shall be the same as the rights of an after-born child, as prescribed in § 301 of Title 12. When the adopting parent is a stepparent, married to the birth or legal parent, nothing contained in this section shall affect the rights of inheritance between the child and the birth or legal parent or their collateral or lineal relatives. Code 1935, §  3551J;  48 Del. Laws, c. 134, §  3;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  920;  68 Del. Laws, c. 259, §  1;