reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
15 V.S.A. § 4-105
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 4 - Adoption of Minor Stepchild by Stepparent|§ 4-105. Content of consent by minor's other parent

§ 4-105. Content of consent by minor's other parent|(a) A consent executed by a minor's parent who is not the stepparent's spouse shall be signed or confirmed in the presence of a person specified in section 2-405 of this title or a person authorized to take acknowledgments.(b) A consent under subsection (a) of this section shall be in writing, shall contain the required statements described in subdivisions 2-406(a)(1) through (3) and (d)(3) through (6) of this title, and shall state that:  (1) the parent executing the consent voluntarily and unequivocally consents to the adoption of the minor by the stepparent and the transfer to the stepparent's spouse and the adoptive stepparent of any right the parent executing the consent has to legal or physical custody of the minor; (2) the parent executing the consent understands and agrees that the adoption will terminate his or her parental relationship to the minor and will terminate any existing court order for custody, visitation, or communication with the minor, but:  (A) the minor and any descendant of the minor will retain the rights of inheritance from or through the parent executing the consent; (B) a court order for visitation or communication with the minor by the parent executing the consent or a person related to the minor through the minor's other parent, or an agreement or order concerning another person which is approved by the court pursuant to section 4-112 of this title survives the decree of adoption, but failure to comply with the terms of the order or agreement is not a ground for revoking or setting aside the consent or the adoption; and (C) the parent executing the consent remains liable for arrearages of child support, unless released from that obligation by the other parent and any guardian ad litem of the minor and by a governmental entity providing public assistance to the minor; and  (3) the parent executing the consent has provided the adoptive stepparent with applicable information required by section 2-105 of this title.   (c) A consent under subsection (a) of this section may waive notice of the proceeding for adoption of the minor by the stepparent, unless the adoption is contested, appealed, or denied. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
15 V.S.A. § 4-106
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 4 - Adoption of Minor Stepchild by Stepparent|§ 4-106. Content of consent by other persons

§ 4-106. Content of consent by other persons|(a) A consent executed by the guardian of a minor stepchild or by an agency shall be in writing and signed or confirmed in the presence of the court, or in a manner the court directs, and:  (1) shall state the circumstances under which the guardian or agency obtained the authority to consent to the adoption of the minor by a stepparent; (2) shall contain the statements required by sections 4-104 and 4-105 of this title, except for any that can be made only by a parent of the minor; and (3) may waive notice of the proceeding for adoption, unless the adoption is contested, appealed, or denied.   (b) A consent executed by a minor stepchild in a proceeding for adoption by a stepparent shall be signed or confirmed in the presence of the court or in a manner the court directs. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
15 V.S.A. § 4-107
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 4 - Adoption of Minor Stepchild by Stepparent|§ 4-107. Petition to adopt

§ 4-107. Petition to adopt|A petition by a stepparent to adopt a minor stepchild shall be signed and verified by the petitioner and contain the following information or state why any of the information is not contained in the petition:  (1) the information required by subdivisions 3-304(a)(1), (3), (5), and (8) through (12) and subsection 3-304(b) of this title; (2) the current marital status of the petitioner, including the date and place of marriage, the name and date and place of birth of the petitioner's spouse and, if the spouse is deceased, the date, place, and cause of death and, if the spouse is found to be incompetent, the date on which a court declared the spouse incompetent; (3) the length of time the minor has been residing with the petitioner and the petitioner's spouse and, if the minor is not in the physical custody of the petitioner and the petitioner's spouse, the reason why they do not have custody and when they intend to obtain custody; and (4) the length of time the petitioner's spouse or the petitioner has had legal custody of the minor and the circumstances under which legal custody was obtained. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2009, No. 3, § 12a, eff. Sept. 1, 2009; 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 75.)
15 V.S.A. § 4-108
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 4 - Adoption of Minor Stepchild by Stepparent|§ 4-108. Required documents

§ 4-108. Required documents|(a) After a petition to adopt a minor stepchild is filed, the following shall be filed in the proceeding:  (1) any item required by subsection 3-305(a) of this title which the court determines is relevant to an adoption by a stepparent; and (2) a copy of any agreement to waive arrearages of child support.   (b) If any of the items required by subsection (a) of this section is not available, the person responsible for furnishing the item shall file an affidavit explaining its absence. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
15 V.S.A. § 4-109
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 4 - Adoption of Minor Stepchild by Stepparent|§ 4-109. Notice of pendency of proceeding

§ 4-109. Notice of pendency of proceeding|Within 30 days after a petition to adopt a minor stepchild is filed, the court shall serve notice of the proceeding upon:  (1) the petitioner's spouse; (2) any other person whose consent to the adoption is required under this article; (3) any person described in subdivisions 3-401(a)(3), (4), and (6) and subsection 3-401(b) of this title; and (4) the parents of the minor's parent whose parental relationship will be terminated by the adoption unless the identity or the whereabouts of those parents are unknown. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
15 V.S.A. § 4-110
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 4 - Adoption of Minor Stepchild by Stepparent|§ 4-110. Evaluation of stepparent

§ 4-110. Evaluation of stepparent|(a) After a petition for adoption of a minor stepchild is filed, the court may order that an evaluation be made by a person qualified under section 2-202 of this title to assist the court in determining whether the proposed adoption is in the best interests of the minor.(b) The court shall provide an evaluator with copies of the petition for adoption and of the items filed with the petition.(c) Unless otherwise directed by the court, an evaluator shall base the evaluation on a personal interview with the petitioner and the petitioner's spouse in the petitioner's residence, observation of the relationship between the minor and the petitioner, a personal interview with others who know the petitioner and may have information relevant to the examination, and any information received pursuant to subsection (d) of this section.(d) An evaluation under this section shall be in writing and contain the following:  (1) the information required by subsections 2-203(d) and (e) of this title; and (2) the information required by subdivisions 3-602(b)(2) through (5) of this title.   (e) Subsection 3-603(b) of this title shall apply to an evaluation under this section.(f) If the court does not order an evaluation, the preference of the minor who is less than 14 years old shall be taken into consideration, if the minor is mature enough to express a preference.(g) Whether or not an evaluation is ordered, the court shall obtain the information required by subdivisions 2-203(d)(7)-(9).(h) The court may charge a reasonable fee for services it performs pursuant to this section. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
15 V.S.A. § 4-111
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 4 - Adoption of Minor Stepchild by Stepparent|§ 4-111. Dispositional hearing: decree of adoption

§ 4-111. Dispositional hearing: decree of adoption|Sections 3-701 through 3-707 of this title apply to a proceeding for adoption of a minor stepchild by a stepparent, but the court may waive the requirements of section 3-702 of this title. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
15 V.S.A. § 4-113
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 4 - Adoption of Minor Stepchild by Stepparent|§ 4-113. Other provisions applicable to adoption of stepchild

§ 4-113. Other provisions applicable to adoption of stepchild|Except as otherwise provided by this article, Article 3 of this title applies to an adoption of a minor stepchild by a stepparent. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
15 V.S.A. § 5-101
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 5 - Adoption of Adults and Emancipated Minors|§ 5-101. Who may adopt adult or emancipated minor

§ 5-101. Who may adopt adult or emancipated minor|An adult may adopt another adult or an emancipated minor pursuant to this article, but an adult may not adopt his or her spouse. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
15 V.S.A. § 5-102
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 5 - Adoption of Adults and Emancipated Minors|§ 5-102. Legal consequences of adoption

§ 5-102. Legal consequences of adoption|The legal consequences of an adoption of an adult or emancipated minor are the same as under sections 1-103 through 1-106 of this title, but the legal consequences of adoption of an adult stepchild by an adult stepparent are the same as under section 4-102 of this title. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
15 V.S.A. § 5-103
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 5 - Adoption of Adults and Emancipated Minors|§ 5-103. Consent by spouse

§ 5-103. Consent by spouse|(a) Consent to the adoption of an adult or emancipated minor is required only of the spouse of the prospective adoptive parent, unless they are legally separated, or the court finds that the spouse is not capable of giving consent or is withholding consent contrary to the best interests of the adoptee and the prospective adoptive parent.(b) The consent of the spouse of the prospective adoptive parent:  (1) shall be in writing and be signed or confirmed in the presence of the court or a person authorized to take acknowledgments; (2) shall state that the spouse:  (A) consents to the proposed adoption; and (B) understands the consequences the adoption may have for any right of inheritance, property, or support the spouse has; and  (3) may contain a waiver of any proceedings for adoption. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
15 V.S.A. § 5-104
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 5 - Adoption of Adults and Emancipated Minors|§ 5-104. Jurisdiction and venue

§ 5-104. Jurisdiction and venue|(a) The Probate Division of the Superior Court has jurisdiction over a proceeding for the adoption of an adult or emancipated minor under this article if a petitioner lived in this State for at least 90 days immediately preceding the filing of a petition for adoption.(b) A petition for adoption may be filed in the Probate Division of the Superior Court in the district in which a petitioner lives. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 238a, eff. Feb. 1, 2011.)
15 V.S.A. § 5-105
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 5 - Adoption of Adults and Emancipated Minors|§ 5-105. Petition for adoption

§ 5-105. Petition for adoption|(a) A prospective adoptive parent and an adoptee under this article shall jointly file a petition for adoption.(b) The petition shall be signed and verified by each petitioner and state:  (1) the full name, date of birth, and place and duration of residence of each petitioner; (2) the current marital status of each petitioner, including the date and place of marriage, if married; (3) the full name by which the adoptee is to be known if the petition is granted; (4) the duration and nature of the relationship between the prospective adoptive parent and the adoptee; (5) that the prospective adoptive parent and the adoptee desire to assume the legal relationship of parent and child and to have all of the rights and be subject to all of the duties of that relationship; (6) that the adoptee understands that a consequence of the adoption will be to terminate the adoptee's relationship as the child of an existing parent, but if the adoptive parent is the adoptee's stepparent, the adoption will not affect the adoptee's relationship with a parent who is the stepparent's spouse, but will terminate the adoptee's relationship to the adoptee's other parent, except for the right to inherit from or through that parent; (7) that the adoptee and the prospective adoptive parent understand the consequences the adoption may have for any right of inheritance, property, or support each person has; (8) the name and last known address of any other person whose consent is required; (9) the name, age, and last known address of any child of the prospective adoptive parent, including a child previously adopted by the prospective adoptive parent or his or her spouse, and the date and place of the adoption; and (10) the name, age, and last known address of any living parent or child of the adoptee.   (c) The petitioners shall attach to the petition:  (1) a certified copy of the birth certificate or other evidence of the date and place of birth of the adoptee and the prospective adoptive parent, if available; and (2) any required consent that has been executed. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2009, No. 3, § 12a, eff. Sept. 1, 2009.)
15 V.S.A. § 5-106
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 5 - Adoption of Adults and Emancipated Minors|§ 5-106. Notice and time of hearing

§ 5-106. Notice and time of hearing|(a) Within 30 days after a petition for adoption is filed, the court shall serve notice of hearing the petition upon any person whose consent to the adoption is required under section 5-103 of this title, and who has not waived notice, by sending a copy of the petition and notice of hearing to the person at the address stated in the petition, or according to the manner of service provided in section 3-403 of this title.(b) The court shall set a date and time for hearing the petition, which shall be at least 30 days after the notice is served. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
15 V.S.A. § 5-107
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 5 - Adoption of Adults and Emancipated Minors|§ 5-107. Dispositional hearing

§ 5-107. Dispositional hearing|(a) Both petitioners shall appear in person at the hearing unless an appearance is excused for good cause shown. In the latter event an appearance may be made for either or both of them by an attorney authorized in writing to make the appearance, or a hearing may be conducted by telephone or other electronic medium.(b) The court shall examine the petitioners, or the attorney for a petitioner not present in person, and shall grant the petition for adoption if it determines that:  (1) at least 30 days have elapsed since the service of notice of hearing the petition for adoption; (2) notice has been served, or dispensed with, as to any person whose consent is required under section 5-103 of this title; (3) every necessary consent, waiver, document, or judicial order has been obtained and filed with the court; (4) the adoption is for the purpose of creating the relationship of parent and child between the petitioners and the petitioners understand the consequences of the relationship; and (5) there has been substantial compliance with this title. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
15 V.S.A. § 5-108
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 5 - Adoption of Adults and Emancipated Minors|§ 5-108. Decree of adoption

§ 5-108. Decree of adoption|(a) A decree of adoption issued under this article shall substantially conform to the relevant requirements of section 3-705 of this title and appeals from a decree, or challenges to it, are governed by section 3-707 of this title.(b) The court shall send a copy of the decree to each person named in the petition at the address stated in the petition.(c) Within 30 days after a decree of adoption becomes final, the clerk of the court shall prepare a report of the adoption for the State Registrar of Vital Records, and, if the petitioners have requested it, the report shall instruct the State Registrar to issue a new birth certificate to the adoptee, as provided in Article 3, Part 8 of this title. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2017, No. 46, § 58, eff. July 1, 2019.)
15 V.S.A. § 5-109
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 5 - Adoption of Adults and Emancipated Minors|§ 5-109. Adoption of an adult who is incompetent

§ 5-109. Adoption of an adult who is incompetent|If the adult who is being adopted has been found by a court to be incompetent:  (1) the legal guardian shall join in the petition for adoption; (2) the court may, upon recommendation of the legal guardian:  (A) waive the requirement that the adoptee join in the petition; (B) waive the requirements of subdivisions 5-105(b)(6) and (7) of this title with respect to the adoptee; and (C) order an evaluation as provided in subdivisions 4-110(a)-(f) of this title; and  (3) the court shall:  (A) determine whether the adoptee has expressed an opinion about the granting of the petition; (B) ensure that the adoptee has not been coerced or subjected to duress, exploitation, or undue influence; and (C) not grant the petition unless the adoption is in the best interests of the adoptee. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 76.)
15 V.S.A. § 6-102
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 6 - Records of Adoption Proceeding; Retention, Confidentiality, and Access|§ 6-102. Records confidential

§ 6-102. Records confidential|(a) All records on file with the court or in the possession of an agency, the Department of Health, the registry, or other provider of professional services in connection with an adoption are confidential and may not be inspected except as provided in this title.(b) During a proceeding for adoption, records are not open to inspection except as directed by the court.(c) Within 30 days after a decree of adoption becomes final, the clerk of the Superior Court shall send to the registry a copy of any document signed pursuant to section 2-105 of this title.(d) All records on file with the court or agency shall be retained permanently and kept confidential for 99 years after the date of the adoptee's birth. Confidential records and indices are not open to inspection or copying by any person except as provided in this title.(e) The records of an agency that ceases operation in this State shall be transferred to the Department for retention under the provisions of this title. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 131; 2017, No. 28, § 4, eff. May 10, 2017.)
15 V.S.A. § 6-103
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 6 - Records of Adoption Proceeding; Retention, Confidentiality, and Access|§ 6-103. Adoption registry

§ 6-103. Adoption registry|(a) The registry shall maintain:  (1) an index containing all of the following information, as applicable:  (A) the adoptee's name at birth and after adoption and date of birth; (B) the names and addresses of the adoptee's former parents and adoptive parents; (C) the date and court in which a consent or relinquishment was filed; (D) the date and court in which the petition was filed; (E) any agency involved in the adoption; (F) the date and nature of the disposition of the petition;  (2) a copy of any consent for the disclosure of identifying information filed with the court; (3) a copy of the information filed with the court which is described in section 2-105 of this title.   (b) The Probate Division of the Superior Court shall provide the Department with the information necessary to maintain this index. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 238a, eff. Feb. 1, 2011.)
15 V.S.A. § 6-105
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 6 - Records of Adoption Proceeding; Retention, Confidentiality, and Access|§ 6-105. Disclosure of identifying information

§ 6-105. Disclosure of identifying information|(a) Identifying information about an adoptee's former parent shall be disclosed by the registry to any of the following persons upon request:  (1) An adoptee who is 18 or more years old. (2) An adoptee who is emancipated. (3) A deceased adoptee's direct descendant who is 18 or more years old or the parent or guardian of a direct descendant who is less than 18 years old.   (b) From July 1, 1996 to December 31, 1997, the registry shall disclose identifying information under subsection (a) of this section only if the former parent consents to such disclosure. After December 31, 1997, the registry shall disclose information under subsection (a) of this section as follows:  (1) For adoptions that were finalized prior to July 1, 1986, the registry shall disclose identifying information if the former parent has filed in any Probate Division of the Superior Court or agency any kind of document that clearly indicates that he or she consents to such disclosure. (2) For adoptions that were finalized on or after July 1, 1986, the registry shall disclose identifying information without requiring the consent of the former parent except the registry shall not disclose such information if the former parent has filed a request for nondisclosure in accordance with the provisions of section 6-106 of this title and has not withdrawn the request or, prior to July 1, 1996, has filed in any court or agency any kind of document that clearly indicates that his or her identity not be disclosed and has not withdrawn the document.   (c) An adult descendant of a deceased former parent or the guardian of a former parent who has been declared incompetent may consent to the disclosure of information as provided for in subsection (a) of this section.(d) If an adoptee, who is 18 or more years old, consents, identifying information about the adoptee shall be disclosed by the registry to any of the following persons upon request:  (1) The adoptee's former parent; (2) The adoptee's sibling who is 18 or more years old.   (e) Identifying information about the adoptee shall be disclosed to the adoptee's former parent if the parent of an adoptee who is less than 18 years old consents to the disclosure.(f) Identifying information about a deceased adoptee shall be disclosed by the registry to the adoptee's former parent or sibling upon request if:  (1) the deceased adoptee's direct descendant is 18 or more years old and consents to the disclosure; or (2) the parent or guardian of a direct descendant who is less than 18 years old consents to the disclosure.   (g) Identifying information about a sibling of an adoptee shall be disclosed by the registry to the adoptee upon request if both the sibling and the adoptee are 18 or more years old and the sibling consents to disclosure. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 238a, eff. Feb. 1, 2011.)
15 V.S.A. § 6-106
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 6 - Records of Adoption Proceeding; Retention, Confidentiality, and Access|§ 6-106. Request for nondisclosure

§ 6-106. Request for nondisclosure|A former parent of an adoptee may prevent disclosure of identifying information about himself or herself by filing a request for nondisclosure with the registry as provided in section 6-105 of this title. A request for nondisclosure may be withdrawn by a former parent at any time. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)