reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
NC Gen Stat § 48-1-103 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 1 - General Provisions.|§ 48-1-103 - Who may adopt.

 48-1-103. Who may adopt.Any adult may adopt another individual as provided in this Chapter, but spouses may not adopt each other. (1949, c. 300; 1963, c. 699; 1967, c. 619, ss. 1-3; c. 693; c. 880, s. 3; 1969, c. 21, ss. 3-6; 1971, c. 395; c. 1231, s. 1; 1973, c. 849, s. 3; c. 1354, ss. 1-4; 1975, c. 91; 1979, c. 107, s. 6; 1981, c. 657; 1983, c. 454, s. 6; 1989, c. 208; c. 727, s. 219(4); 1993, c. 553, s. 14; 1995, c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-1-104 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 1 - General Provisions.|§ 48-1-104 - Who may be adopted.

 48-1-104. Who may be adopted.Any individual may be adopted as provided in this Chapter. (1949, c. 300; 1957, c. 778, s. 2; 1967, c. 880, ss. 2, 3; 1969, c. 21, ss. 3-6; 1971, c. 1231, s. 1; 1973, c. 849, s. 3; 1975, c. 91; 1981, c. 657; 1987, c. 716, s. 1; 1989, c. 208; c. 727, s. 219(4); 1993, c. 539, s. 410; c. 553, s. 14; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1995, c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-1-105 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 1 - General Provisions.|§ 48-1-105 - Name of adoptee after adoption.

 48-1-105. Name of adoptee after adoption.When a decree of adoption becomes final, the name of the adoptee shall become the name designated in the decree. (1949, c. 300; 1951, c. 730, ss. 1-4; 1955, c. 951, s. 1; 1967, c. 880, s. 3; c. 1042, ss. 1-3; 1969, c. 21, s. 2-6; c. 977; 1971, c. 1231, s. 1; 1973, c. 476, s. 128; c. 849, ss. 1-3; 1975, c. 91; 1981, c. 657; 1983, c. 454, s. 6; 1989, c. 208; c. 727, s. 219(3), (4); 1993, c. 553, s. 14; 1995, c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-1-106 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 1 - General Provisions.|§ 48-1-106 - Legal effect of decree of adoption.

 48-1-106. Legal effect of decree of adoption.(a) A decree of adoption effects a complete substitution of families for all legal purposes after the entry of the decree.(b) A decree of adoption establishes the relationship of parent and child between each petitioner and the individual being adopted. From the date of the signing of the decree, the adoptee is entitled to inherit real and personal property by, through, and from the adoptive parents in accordance with the statutes on intestate succession and has the same legal status, including all legal rights and obligations of any kind whatsoever, as a child born the legitimate child of the adoptive parents.(c) A decree of adoption severs the relationship of parent and child between the individual adopted and that individual's biological or previous adoptive parents. After the entry of a decree of adoption, the former parents are relieved of all legal duties and obligations due from them to the adoptee, except that a former parent's duty to make past-due payments for child support is not terminated, and the former parents are divested of all rights with respect to the adoptee.(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, neither an adoption by a stepparent nor a readoption pursuant to G.S. 48-6-102 has any effect on the relationship between the child and the parent who is the stepparent's spouse.(e) In any deed, grant, will, or other written instrument executed before October 1, 1985, the words "child", "grandchild", "heir", "issue", "descendant", or an equivalent, or any other word of like import, shall be held to include any adopted person after the entry of the decree of adoption, unless a contrary intention plainly appears from the terms of the instrument, whether the instrument was executed before or after the entry of the decree of adoption. The use of the phrase "hereafter born" or similar language in any such instrument to establish a class of persons shall not by itself be sufficient to exclude adoptees from inclusion in the class. In any deed, grant, will, or other written instrument executed on or after October 1, 1985, any reference to a natural person shall include any adopted person after the entry of the decree of adoption unless the instrument explicitly states that adopted persons are excluded, whether the instrument was executed before or after the entry of the decree of adoption.(f) Nothing in this Chapter deprives a biological grandparent of any visitation rights with an adopted minor available under G.S. 50-13.2(b1), 50-13.2A, and 50-13.5(j). (1949, c. 300; 1953, c. 824; 1955, c. 813, s. 5; 1957, c. 778, s. 5; 1963, c. 967; 1967, c. 619, s. 5; c. 880, s. 3; 1969, c. 21, ss. 3-6; c. 911, s. 6; 1971, c. 1093, s. 13; c. 1231, s. 1; 1973, c. 849, s. 3; c. 1354, s. 5; 1975, c. 91; 1981, c. 657; 1983, c. 30; c. 454, ss. 2, 6; 1985, c. 67, ss. 1-4; c. 575, s. 1; 1989, c. 208; c. 727, s. 219(4); 1993, c. 553, s. 14; 1995, c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-1-107 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 1 - General Provisions.|§ 48-1-107 - Other rights of adoptee.

 48-1-107. Other rights of adoptee.A decree of adoption does not divest any vested property interest owned by the adoptee immediately prior to the decree of adoption including any public assistance benefit or child support payment due on or before the date of the decree. An adoption divests any property interest, entitlement, or other interest contingent on an ongoing family relationship with the adoptee's former family. (1949, c. 300; 1953, c. 824; 1955, c. 813, s. 5; 1963, c. 967; 1967, c. 619, s. 5; c. 880, s. 3; 1969, c. 21, ss. 3-6; 1971, c. 1231, s. 1; 1973, c. 849, s. 3; 1975, c. 91; 1981, c. 657; 1983, c. 454, s. 6; 1985, c. 67, ss. 1-4; c. 575, s. 1; 1989, c. 208; c. 727, s. 219(4); 1993, c. 553, s. 14; 1995, c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-1-108 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 1 - General Provisions.|§ 48-1-108 - Adoptees subject to Indian Child Welfare Act.

 48-1-108. Adoptees subject to Indian Child Welfare Act.If the individual is an Indian child as defined in the Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 U.S.C. 1901, et seq., then the provisions of that act shall control the individual's adoption. (1995, c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-1-108.1 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 1 - General Provisions.|§ 48-1-108.1 - Adoptees subject to the Hague Adoption Convention.

 48-1-108.1. Adoptees subject to the Hague Adoption Convention.If the adoption of the adoptee is subject to the Convention of 29 May 1993 on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention), the provisions of the Hague Adoption Convention shall control the individual's adoption. Documentation establishing whether the Hague Adoption Convention applies to an adoptee may be filed and copies thereof may be certified by the court before or after the decree of adoption has been granted.  (2015-54, s. 1.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-1-109 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 1 - General Provisions.|§ 48-1-109 - Which agencies may prepare assessments and reports to the court.

 48-1-109. Which agencies may prepare assessments and reports to the court.(a) Except as authorized in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, only a county department of social services in this State or an agency licensed by the Department may prepare preplacement assessments pursuant to Article 3 of this Chapter or reports to the court pursuant to Article 2 of this Chapter.(b) A preplacement assessment prepared in another state may be used in this State only if:(1) The prospective adoptive parent resided in the state where it was prepared; and(2) The person or entity that prepared it was authorized by the law of that state to gather the necessary information.An assessment prepared in another state that does not meet the requirements of this section and G.S. 48-3-303(c) through (h) must be updated by a county department of social services in this State, an agency licensed by the Department, or a person or entity authorized to gather the necessary information pursuant to the laws of the state where the prospective adoptive parent resides before being used in this State.  (c) An order for a report to the court must be sent to a county department of social services in this State, an agency licensed by the Department, or a person or entity authorized to prepare home assessments for the purpose of adoption proceedings under the laws of the petitioner's state of residence. If the petitioner moves to a different state before the agency completes the report, the agency shall request a report from a person or entity authorized to prepare home assessments for the purpose of adoption proceedings under the laws of the petitioner's new state residence.  (1949, c. 300; 1961, c. 186; 1969, c. 982; 1973, c. 476, s. 138; 1983, c. 454, s. 5; 1991, c. 335, s. 2; 1995, c. 457, s. 2; 1998-202, s. 13(h); 2009-185, s. 1; 2015-54, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-1-110 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 1 - General Provisions.|§ 48-1-110 - Support for adoptive families at risk of dissolution.

 48-1-110. Support for adoptive families at risk of dissolution.The Department of Health and Human Services shall develop a program to provide needed supports to families at risk of adoption dissolutions in order to keep families together.  (2016-115, s. 5.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-2-100 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 2 - General Adoption Procedure.|§ 48-2-100 - Jurisdiction.

 48-2-100. Jurisdiction.(a) Adoption shall be by a special proceeding before the clerk of superior court.(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, jurisdiction over adoption proceedings commenced under this Chapter exists if, at the commencement of the proceeding:(1) The adoptee has lived in this State for at least the six consecutive months immediately preceding the filing of the petition or from birth;(2) The prospective adoptive parent has lived in or been domiciled in this State for at least the six consecutive months immediately preceding the filing of the petition; or(3) An agency licensed by this State or a county department of social services in this State has legal custody of the adoptee.(c) The courts of this State shall not exercise jurisdiction under this Chapter if at the time the petition for adoption is filed, a court of any other state is exercising jurisdiction substantially in conformity with the Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, Article 2 of Chapter 50A of the General Statutes. However, this subsection shall not apply and the courts of this State may exercise jurisdiction under this Chapter if either of the following apply:(1) The matter in which the other state is exercising jurisdiction places custody of the adoptee in an agency, the petitioner, or another custodian expressly in support of an adoption plan that does not identify a specific prospective adoptive parent other than the petitioner.(2) Prior to the decree of adoption being granted, the court of the other state dismisses its proceeding or releases its exclusive, continuing jurisdiction.  (1949, c. 300; 1963, c. 699; 1967, c. 619, ss. 1-3; c. 693; c. 880, s. 3; 1969, c. 21, ss. 3-6; 1971, c. 233, s. 1; c. 395; c. 1231, s. 1; 1973, c. 849, s. 3; c. 1354, ss. 1-4; 1975, c. 91; 1979, c. 107, s. 6; 1981, c. 657; 1983, c. 454, s. 6; 1989, c. 208; c. 727, s. 219(4); 1993, c. 553, s. 14; 1995, c. 88, ss. 3, 4; c. 457, s. 2; 1999-223, s. 8; 2007-151, s. 2; 2015-54, s. 3; 2019-172, s. 3.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-2-101 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 2 - General Adoption Procedure.|§ 48-2-101 - Venue.

 48-2-101. Venue.A petition for adoption may be filed with the clerk of the superior court in the county in which:(1) A petitioner lives, or is domiciled, at the time of filing;(2) The adoptee lives; or(3) An office of the agency that placed the adoptee is located. (1949, c. 300; 1967, c. 880, s. 3; 1969, c. 21, ss. 3-6; 1971, c. 233, s. 1; c. 1231, s. 1; 1973, c. 849, s. 3; 1975, c. 91; 1981, c. 657; 1989, c. 208; c. 727, s. 219(4); 1993, c. 553, s. 14; 1995, c. 88, s. 4; c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-2-102 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 2 - General Adoption Procedure.|§ 48-2-102 - Transfer, stay, or dismissal.

 48-2-102. Transfer, stay, or dismissal.(a) If the court, on its own motion or on motion of a party, finds in the interest of justice that the matter should be heard in another county where venue lies under G.S. 48-2-101, the court may transfer, stay, or dismiss the proceeding.(b) If an adoptee is also the subject of a pending proceeding under Chapter 7B of the General Statutes, then the district court having jurisdiction under Chapter 7B shall retain jurisdiction until the final order of adoption is entered. The district court may waive jurisdiction for good cause. (1949, c. 300; 1971, c. 233, s. 1; 1995, c. 88, s. 4; c. 457, s. 2; 1998-202, s. 13(i).)
NC Gen Stat § 48-2-201 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 2 - General Adoption Procedure.|§ 48-2-201 - Appointment of attorney or guardian ad litem.

 48-2-201. Appointment of attorney or guardian ad litem.(a) The court may appoint an attorney to represent a parent or alleged parent who is unknown or whose whereabouts are unknown and who has not responded to notice of the adoption proceeding as provided in Part 4 of this Article.(b) The court on its own motion may appoint an attorney or a guardian ad litem to represent the interests of the adoptee in a contested proceeding brought under this Chapter. (1995, c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-2-202 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 2 - General Adoption Procedure.|§ 48-2-202 - No right to jury.

 48-2-202. No right to jury.All proceedings under this Chapter must be heard by the court without a jury. (1995, c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-2-203 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 2 - General Adoption Procedure.|§ 48-2-203 - Confidentiality of proceedings under Chapter.

 48-2-203. Confidentiality of proceedings under Chapter.A judicial hearing in any proceeding pursuant to this Chapter shall be held in closed court. (1995, c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-2-204 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 2 - General Adoption Procedure.|§ 48-2-204 - Death of a joint petitioner or stepparent pending final decree.

 48-2-204. Death of a joint petitioner or stepparent pending final decree.(a) When spouses have petitioned jointly to adopt and one spouse dies before entry of a final decree, the adoption may proceed in the names of both spouses. Upon completion of the adoption, the name of the deceased spouse shall be entered as one of the adoptive parents on the new birth certificate prepared pursuant to Article 9 of this Chapter. For purposes of inheritance, testate or intestate, the adoptee shall be treated as a child of the deceased spouse.(b) When a stepparent who has petitioned to adopt dies before entry of a final decree, the adoption may proceed in the name of the petitioning stepparent if the court causes to be mailed to any individual who executed a consent to adoption a notice advising that the petitioning stepparent has died and the individual may, within 15 days from the date the individual receives notice, request a hearing on the adoption. Notice is complete when mailed to the individual at the address given in the consent. Upon completion of the adoption, the name of the petitioning stepparent shall be entered as one of the adoptee's parents on the new birth certificate prepared in accordance with Article 9 of this Chapter. For purposes of inheritance, testate or intestate, the adoptee shall be treated as a child of the deceased stepparent.  (1949, c. 300; 1995, c. 457, s. 2; 2013-236, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-2-205 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 2 - General Adoption Procedure.|§ 48-2-205 - Recognition of adoption decrees from other jurisdictions.

 48-2-205. Recognition of adoption decrees from other jurisdictions.A final adoption decree issued by any other state must be recognized in this State. Where a minor child has been previously adopted in a foreign country by a petitioner or petitioners seeking to readopt the child under the laws of North Carolina, the adoption order entered in the foreign country may be accepted in lieu of the consent of the biological parent or parents or the guardian of the child to the readoption. A man and a woman who adopted a minor child in a foreign country while married to one another must readopt jointly, regardless of whether they have since divorced. If either does not join in the petition, he or she must be joined as a necessary party as provided in G.S. 1A-1, Rule 19. If a man and a woman have adopted a minor child in a foreign country while married to one another and one of them has died, then the survivor may petition for readoption, and the court shall issue any decree of adoption in the names of both of the man and the woman who adopted the minor child in a foreign country.  (1975, c. 262; 1983, c. 454, s. 6; 1995, c. 457, s. 2; 2009-185, s. 2.2; 2019-172, s. 4(a).)
NC Gen Stat § 48-2-207 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 2 - General Adoption Procedure.|§ 48-2-207 - Necessity of consent post-petition.

 48-2-207. Necessity of consent post-petition.(a) If any individual who is described in G.S. 48-3-601 or entitled to notice under G.S. 48-2-401(c)(3) is served with notice of the filing of the petition in accordance with G.S. 48-2-402 and fails to respond within the time specified in the notice, the court, upon motion by the petitioner, shall enter an order under G.S. 48-3-603(a)(7) that the individual's consent is not required for the adoption.(b) The court shall hold a hearing to take evidence and determine whether an individual's consent to an adoption is required if any of the following:(1) Any individual described in G.S. 48-2-401(c)(3) who has been served with notice of the filing of the petition in accordance with G.S. 48-2-402 notifies the court within the time specified in the notice that he believes his consent to the adoption is required.(2) Any individual who has not been served with the notice of the filing of the petition intervenes in the adoption proceeding alleging that his or her consent to the adoption is required.(c) If the court determines that the consent of any individual is required, the adoption cannot proceed until such individual's consent is obtained or such individual's parental rights are terminated. If the individual whose consent is required did not have physical custody of the minor immediately prior to the placement of the minor with the prospective adoptive parents, a finding that such individual's consent is required does not entitle such individual to physical custody of the minor.(d) If the court determines that the consent of any individual described in G.S. 48-2-401(c)(3) is not required, such individual shall not be entitled to receive notice of, or to participate in, further proceedings in the adoption.  (2005-166, s. 2; 2013-236, s. 3.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-2-301 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 2 - General Adoption Procedure.|§ 48-2-301 - Petition for adoption; who may file.

 48-2-301. Petition for adoption; who may file.(a) A prospective adoptive parent may file a petition for adoption pursuant to Article 3 of this Chapter only if a minor has been placed with the prospective adoptive parent pursuant to Part 2 of Article 3 of this Chapter unless the requirement of placement is waived by the court for cause.(b) Except as authorized by Articles 4 and 6 of this Chapter, the spouse of a petitioner must join in the petition, unless the spouse has been declared incompetent or unless this requirement is otherwise waived by the court for cause.(c) If the individual who files the petition pursuant to Article 3 of this Chapter is unmarried, no other individual may join in the petition, except that a man and a woman who jointly adopted a minor child in a foreign country while married to one another must readopt jointly as provided in G.S. 48-2-205, and the survivor of the man and the woman who jointly adopted a minor child in a foreign country while married to one another may file to adopt in the names of both, as provided in G.S. 48-2-205.  (1949, c. 300; 1963, c. 699; 1967, c. 619, ss. 1-3; c. 693; c. 880, s. 3; 1969, c. 21, ss. 3-6; 1971, c. 395; c. 1231, s. 1; 1973, c. 849, s. 3; c. 1354, ss. 1-4; 1975, c. 91; 1979, c. 107, s. 6; 1981, c. 657; 1983, c. 454, s. 6; 1989, c. 208; c. 727, s. 219(4); 1993, c. 553, s. 14; 1995, c. 88, s. 3; c. 457, s. 2; 2009-185, s. 2.1; 2019-172, s. 4(b).)
NC Gen Stat § 48-2-302 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 2 - General Adoption Procedure.|§ 48-2-302 - Concurrent petitions to adopt and terminate parental rights.

 48-2-302. Concurrent petitions to adopt and terminate parental rights.(a) Repealed by Session Laws 2012-16, s. 1, effective October 1, 2012.(b) Repealed by Session Laws 2013-236, s. 4, effective July 3, 2013.(c) A petition for adoption may be filed concurrently with a petition to terminate parental rights.  (1949, c. 300; 1957, c. 90; c. 778, s. 3; 1971, c. 1185, s. 17; 1975, c. 321, s. 1; 1977, c. 879, s. 2; 1979, c. 107, s. 7; 1985, c. 758, ss. 5-9; 1987, c. 371, s. 1; 1995, c. 457, s. 2; 2012-16, s. 1; 2013-236, s. 4.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-2-303 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 2 - General Adoption Procedure.|§ 48-2-303 - Caption of petition for adoption.

 48-2-303. Caption of petition for adoption.The caption of the petition shall be substantially as follows:STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA    IN THE DISTRICT COURT   ______________________ COUNTY    BEFORE THE CLERK  ____________________________      *(Full name of petitioning father)       and     ____________________________     PETITION FOR ADOPTION  *(Full name of petitioning mother)       and     FOR THE ADOPTION OF     ____________________________      *(Full name by which the adoptee is to be known if the adoption is granted). (1949, c. 300; 1961, c. 186; 1969, c. 982; 1973, c. 476, s. 138; 1995, c. 88, s. 5; c. 457, s. 2; 1997-215, s. 9(d).)