reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
LA Chil Code art. 1248 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1248. Service; resident parent

A. If a parent upon whom service is required under Article 1247 resides within this state, service shall be made either personally or by domiciliary service not less than thirty days prior to the commencement of the hearing on the petition. B. If any social security numbers are contained in the petition or in any of the exhibits attached to the petition, they may be redacted from the copies being served. Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 2012, No. 603, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 1249 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1249. Service; nonresident parent

A. If a parent upon whom service is required under Article 1247 does not reside within this state, service shall be made by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or by commercial courier as defined in R.S. 13:3204(D), to the address indicated in the petition not less than thirty days prior to commencement of the hearing on the petition. B. If any social security numbers are contained in the petition or in any of the exhibits attached to the petition, they may be redacted from the copies being served. Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 2001, No. 567, §1; Acts 2012, No. 603, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 1250 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1250. Service; absentee parent; curator ad hoc

A. If a parent upon whom service is required pursuant to Article 1247 cannot be served in accordance with the provisions of Article 1248 or 1249, the court shall appoint an attorney at law as curator ad hoc for the parent and service shall be made upon the curator ad hoc. B. If any social security numbers are contained in the petition or in any of the exhibits attached to the petition, they may be redacted from the copies being served. C. Upon appointment of the curator ad hoc, a copy of the letter of appointment shall be forwarded to the department. D. The fees and costs of the curator ad hoc shall be paid by the petitioner, notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary. Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 2012, No. 603, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 1251 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1251. Duties of curator ad hoc

A. The curator ad hoc shall make a diligent effort to locate the parent and notify him of the pendency and nature of the proceedings. Any appearances or acceptances of service by the curator ad hoc shall be valid, but he shall not be allowed to waive any rights of notice. B. The curator ad hoc shall submit to the court a note of evidence indicating the efforts made to locate the parent and shall receive an appropriate fee. Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 1252 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1252. Duties of department; home study; confidential report

A. The department shall not investigate the proposed intrafamily adoption except upon order of the court. If the court orders an investigation, it may request any information which it deems relevant and require that the department submit a confidential report of its findings to the court. B. The department shall make every effort to locate any living parent whose consent is required under Article 1193 to determine the parent's attitude toward the proposed adoption. If a curator ad hoc has been appointed by the court pursuant to Article 1250, the department shall supply him with all information pertinent to the location of an absentee parent within fifteen days of its receipt of a copy of the order appointing the curator ad hoc. Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 2012, No. 603, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 1253 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1253. Hearing; petition for intrafamily adoption

A. The court shall hear the petition for intrafamily adoption within sixty days if there is no opposition or within ninety days if there is opposition. The court may extend this time for up to sixty days for good cause, which may include a showing by the department that it has been impossible to gather the necessary data within the time prescribed. The court may reduce the time to a minimum of fifteen days with written approval of the department and the petitioner. B. At this hearing the court shall consider: (1) Any motion to intervene which has been filed. (2) Any other issues in dispute. (3) The confidential report of the department, if any. (4) The report of any criminal records concerning the petitioner, including the nature of the offenses, the number of offenses, and the length of time between the offenses and between the last offense committed and the petition for intrafamily adoption. The existence of a criminal record of the petitioner shall not be automatic grounds for the court to refuse to grant an intrafamily adoption. (5) The report of any validated complaints of child abuse or neglect concerning the petitioner. (6) The testimony of the parties. C. If the child to be adopted is twelve years of age or older, the court shall solicit and consider his wishes in the matter. Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1993, No. 634, §1, eff. June 15, 1993; Acts 1999, No. 1062, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2010, No. 738, §1; Acts 2013, No. 187, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 1254 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1254. Intervention

A. Intervention in intrafamily adoption proceedings shall not be allowed except on motion to the court and a showing of good cause. B. Such intervention shall be limited to persons having a substantial caretaking relationship with the child for one year or longer, or any other person that the court finds to be a party in interest. C. The intervention of a party in interest shall be for the limited purpose of presenting evidence as to the best interests of the child. Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 1255 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1255. Final decree; notice; standard

A. The court, as a part of the final decree, shall provide notice of the provisions of R.S. 14:46.4 to the parties. B. The court, after hearing and after taking into consideration information from all sources concerning the intrafamily adoption, may enter a final decree of adoption, or it may deny the adoption. The basic consideration shall be the best interests of the child. C. When a court has granted custody to either the child's grandparents or his parent married to the stepparent petitioner, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that this adoption is in the best interests of the child. Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 2014, No. 721, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 1256 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1256. Effect of final decree

A. Except as otherwise provided by Paragraph C of this Article, upon a final decree of adoption, the parents of the child whose rights have not been previously terminated by a surrender or a judgment of termination and all other blood relatives of the adopted child are relieved of all their legal duties and divested of all their legal rights with regard to the adopted child including the right of inheritance from the adopted child and his lawful descendents, and the adopted child and his lawful descendents are relieved of all legal duties and divested of all legal rights with regard to the parents and other blood relatives. B. The right of the child to inherit from his parents and other blood relatives is unaffected by the adoption. C. If the adoptive parent is married to a blood parent of the adopted child, the relationship of that blood parent and his blood relatives to the adopted child shall remain unaltered and unaffected by the adoption. D. Under the circumstances and pursuant to the procedures authorized by Chapter 14 of this Title, grandparents may obtain limited visitation rights to the adopted child. Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 1257 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1257. Change of name

The full name of the adopted child may be changed in the final decree of intrafamily adoption and, if changed, the surname shall be the same as that of the adoptive parent. Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 1258 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1258. Repealed by Acts 2010, No. 738, §2.

§1258. Repealed by Acts 2010, No. 738, §2.
LA Chil Code art. 1259 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1259. Appeal of judgment; time limitations

A. Any party to the proceedings or any other party in interest shall have the right to appeal a judgment granting or refusing to grant an interlocutory or final decree regarding any type of adoption within thirty days after the rendition of a judgment or decree. B. If no appeal is perfected within thirty days after a judgment is rendered, the judgment shall be final. Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 1260 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1260. Appellate jurisdiction

All appeals from any judgment rendered in accordance with this Title shall be to the proper court of appeal on both law and fact. Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 1261 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1261. Suspensive nature

All appeals from any judgment rendered in accordance with this Title shall be suspensive in nature. There shall be no requirement for posting of bond. Otherwise, the appeal shall be governed by Chapter 9 of Title III. Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 1262 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1262. Grounds

No action to annul a final decree of adoption of any type may be brought except on the grounds of fraud or duress. Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 1263 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1263. Time limitations; finality

A. An action to annul a final decree of adoption based upon a claim of fraud or duress perpetrated by anyone other than the adoptive parent must be brought within six months from discovery of the fraud or duress and in no event later than one year from the date of the signing of the final decree or mailing of the judgment when required. B. An action to annul a final decree of adoption based upon a claim of fraud or duress perpetrated by an adoptive parent must be brought within six months from discovery of the fraud or duress and in no event later than two years from the date of the signing of the final decree or mailing of the judgment when required. Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1997, No. 796, §1, eff. July 1, 1997; Acts 1999, No. 1062, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2001, No. 838, §1, eff. July 1, 2001; Acts 2003, No. 776, §1, eff. July 1, 2003. NOTE: See Acts 2003, No. 776, §2, relative to time of actions to annul a final decree of adoption.
LA Chil Code art. 1264 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1264. Post-adoption visitation rights of grandparents

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the natural parents of a deceased party to a marriage dissolved by death whose child is thereafter adopted, and the parents of a party who has forfeited the right to object to the adoption of his child pursuant to Article 1245 may have limited visitation rights to the minor child so adopted. Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 1265 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1265. Motion; filing

Any request for limited visitation rights shall be made by written motion of the grandparents and filed with the court which rendered the final decree of adoption. Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 1266 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1266. Hearing

The motion for limited visitation rights shall be set for hearing contradictorily with the adoptive parents. Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 1267 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1267. Burden of proof

The grandparents requesting limited visitation rights shall prove both of the following: (1) That they have been unreasonably denied visitation rights. (2) That such limited visitation rights would be in the best interests of the minor child. Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 1268 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1268. Evidence

A. The court, on its own motion or on motion of any party, may order an investigation to be conducted by the department or may order such psychological evaluations as deemed necessary. B. The court shall consider all relevant factors in making its determination, including but not limited to reports of psychological evaluations. Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 1269 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1269. Order

The court may issue any limited visitation order that is consistent with the findings of the court and the best interests of the child. Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 1269.1 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1269.1. Continuing contact agreements; voluntary

Agreements for continuing contact by certain biological relatives or foster parents with an adopted child after an adoption do not violate any public policy of this state, provided the adopting parents and biological relative or foster parent voluntarily execute the agreement in conformity with the requirements of this Chapter. Acts 2008, No. 583, §§1, 2.
LA Chil Code art. 1269.2 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1269.2. Continuing post-adoption contact; foster child adoptions

A. In an agency adoption in which the department is the custodian of the child, the court may approve an agreement executed in conformity with the requirements of this Chapter that provides for continuing contact between the child to be adopted and his grandparent, sibling, and any parent whose consent or relinquishment is required for the adoption of the person, if both of the following conditions are met: (1) The child has an established, significant relationship with that person to the extent that its loss would cause substantial harm to the child. (2) The preservation of the relationship would otherwise be in the best interest of the child. B. If there is no parental relationship that meets the requirements of Paragraph A of this Article, the court may approve an agreement, executed in conformity with the requirements of this Chapter, that provides for continuing contact between the child to be adopted and any other relative or foster parent whose relationship with the child meets those requirements. C. When adoption is approved by the court as the permanent plan for the child, the department shall inform any parent, grandparent, sibling, or any other relative or foster parent who meets the requirements of Paragraph A or B of this Article of the possibility of post-adoption contact with the child upon agreement with the adoptive parents in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter. Acts 2001, No. 568, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2003, No. 567, §1; Acts 2008, No. 583, §§1, 2.
LA Chil Code art. 1269.4 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1269.4. Filing with court; time limitations

A. Within ten days after the petition is filed, the department, attorney for the child, attorney for the parent, or attorney for the prospective adoptive parents shall file in the court in which the adoption is pending an agreement for continuing contact. B. The agreement may be filed later than ten days after execution only with leave of court for good cause shown. C. If either the department or counsel for the child objects to the agreement, the court may conduct a hearing before approving the agreement. Acts 2001, No. 568, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2003, No. 567, §1; Acts 2008, No. 583, §2; Acts 2014, No. 354, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 1269.5 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1269.5. Court approval; incorporation into judgment

A. The court shall review a continuing contact agreement executed in conformity with the requirements of this Chapter. B. If the court finds that an agreement serves the best interest of the child, the agreement shall be incorporated into a judgment of the court. An agreement reached by the parties and approved by the department and counsel representing the child is presumed to serve the best interest of the child. The judgment shall provide that failure to comply with the terms of the agreement does not constitute grounds for annulling a surrender or the final decree of adoption. C. If the court rejects the agreement, it shall make specific findings of fact in support of its conclusion that the best interest of the child would not be served by approval of the agreement. The factors to be considered shall include: (1) The duration of the child's relationship with the parent, grandparent, sibling, or other relative by blood, adoption, or affinity seeking continuing contact. (2) The strength of the psychological attachment between the child and the individual seeking continuing contact. (3) The resulting harm to the child if the relationship is not preserved. D. The court may receive expert testimony on the issue of continuing contact. E. If the child is twelve years of age or older, the court shall solicit and consider the child's wishes in the matter. Acts 2001, No. 568, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2008, No. 583, §2.
LA Chil Code art. 1269.6 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1269.6. Effect; continuing contact agreement

A. A continuing contact agreement shall be enforceable only if filed with the court and approved in accordance with Article 1269.5. B. Failure to comply with the terms of an agreement made pursuant to this Chapter is not grounds for nullifying a surrender or an adoption decree or revocation by a biological parent of a surrender or consent to an adoption or for any action seeking the child's custody. Failure to include this warning in the judgment as required by Article 1269.5 shall not affect the adoption. Acts 2001, No. 568, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2008, No. 583, §2.
LA Chil Code art. 1269.7 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1269.7. Agreements confected after final decree

The adoptive parent and any relative or foster parent who may be permitted continuing contact by Article 1269.2(B) may enter into an agreement regarding communication or contact after entry of a final decree of adoption. Any such agreement shall be enforceable only if filed with the court and approved in accordance with this Chapter. Acts 2001, No. 568, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2008, No. 583, §§1, 2.
LA Chil Code art. 1269.8 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1269.8. Enforcement of continuing contact agreement; modification

A. Unless another court has jurisdiction pursuant to the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, the court shall retain jurisdiction after the decree of adoption is entered for the purpose of hearing motions brought to enforce, modify, or terminate an agreement entered into pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter. For the convenience of the parties and the witnesses and in the interest of justice, the court, upon contradictory motion or upon its own motion after notice and hearing, may transfer the proceeding to another juvenile court in the state. B. Before hearing such a motion, the court shall refer the parties to mediation in accordance with Title IV, Chapter 6 of this Code. Only if the court finds that the party seeking relief has participated or attempted to participate in good faith in mediating the dispute, may it proceed to a determination on the merits of the motion. C. If the child is twelve years of age or older, the court shall solicit and consider the child's wishes in the matter. D. The court shall order continuing compliance in accordance with the agreement and refuse to modify or terminate it unless it finds that there has been a change of circumstances and the agreement no longer serves the best interest of the child. Acts 2001, No. 568, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2008, No. 583, §2.
LA Chil Code art. 1271 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1271. Registration

A. Registration shall be by affidavit filed with the office of children and family services. That office shall develop and furnish standardized affidavit forms appropriate for effecting the purpose of this Chapter. B. Registration shall be effective upon filing and shall remain effective until withdrawn by the affiant's written request. C. The department may establish registration and renewal fees not to exceed twenty-five dollars. Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 705, §1, eff. July 6, 1992; Acts 1997, No. 715, §1; Acts 2010, No. 266, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 1272 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1272. Matching; verification by original documents; mandatory counseling

A. The office of community services shall regularly monitor registrant affidavits, utilizing computer services if necessary, to determine whether affidavits have been filed by a registrant as enumerated in Article 1270. B. If there appears to be a match between current registrants, the office of community services shall notify the registrants of the match and of the counseling requirements of Paragraph D of this Article. Upon verification that each registered person has met the requirements the office of community services shall provide the details of the match to the licensed clinical social worker, social worker acting in the employ of a licensed adoption agency, licensed professional counselor, licensed psychologist, licensed psychiatrist, or licensed marriage and family therapist that provided counseling for the registrant, who shall then contact the registered and matched parties in a careful and confidential manner and give them the information necessary to contact each other. C. If doubt exists that any registrants are biologically related, the office of community services shall advise them to file a motion with the court having jurisdiction and request permission to open the sealed adoption record for verification. Such verification shall be a compelling reason, within the meaning of Article 1189, to open the adoption records for the limited purpose of verification. D. Each registrant shall participate in not less than one hour of counseling with a licensed clinical social worker, a social worker acting in the employ of a licensed adoption agency, a licensed professional counselor, a licensed psychologist, medical psychologist, a licensed psychiatrist, or a licensed marriage and family therapist before they will be put in contact with one another. Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1997, No. 715, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1309, §9, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2001, No. 486, §5, eff. June 21, 2001; Acts 2008, No. 583, §1; Acts 2009, No. 251, §13; Acts 2010, No. 266, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 1273 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1273. Confidentiality

Documents filed with the office of children and family services, pursuant to this Chapter, shall be confidential and shall not be available for inspection, except under the procedures set forth in this Chapter. Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 2010, No. 266, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 1274 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 1274. Penalties

Any employee or former employee of the Department of Children and Family Services, or a licensed adoption agency, or any employee or appointee or former employee or appointee of a court who discloses identifying information other than pursuant to judicial order or through the registry, as provided in this Chapter, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars and not more than five thousand dollars, or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both. Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.