Opinion ID: 2509311
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: the relevant adoption statutes

Text: [¶ 4] § 1-22-104. Petition for adoption of minor.... ... (d) The petition and documents filed pursuant to this section, and the interlocutory decree, if entered, and the final decree of adoption shall constitute a confidential file and shall be available for inspection only to the judge, or, by order of court, to the parties to the proceedings or their attorneys.... § 1-22-105. Hearings to be closed; attendance of parties. (a) Unless the court orders a hearing in open court, all hearings in adoption proceedings shall be confidential and held in closed court or court chambers. No person shall be admitted except court officials, parties to the proceeding, counsel, nonconsenting parents, the nonconsenting putative father of the child and witnesses. § 1-22-107. Service of petition and order.... (a) Prior to the hearing a copy of the petition to adopt a child and all orders to show cause shall be served on any persons whose consent to adoption is required by W.S. 1-22-109 and whose consent has not been filed with the petition to adopt.... § 1-22-108. Hearing on petition and objections.... ... (b) When any person whose consent is required objects to the petition to adopt, he shall at least five (5) days before the hearing file his objections and serve them on all parties to the proceedings, including any person whose consent has been filed. § 1-22-109. Consent to adoption. (a) A written relinquishment of custody of the child to be adopted and written consent to adoption shall be filed with the petition to adopt and shall be signed by: (i) Both parents, if living; or (ii) The surviving parent; or (iii) The mother and putative father of the child if the name of the putative father is known; or (iv) The mother alone if she does not know the name of the putative father ...; or (v) The legal guardian of the person of the child if neither parent is living or if parental rights have been judicially terminated; or (vi) The executive head of the agency to whom the child has been relinquished for adoption; or (vii) The person having exclusive legal custody of the child by court order; or (viii) The legally appointed guardian of any parent or putative father who has been adjudged mentally incompetent. § 1-22-111. Decree; investigation; denial of adoption. (a) After the petition to adopt has been filed and a hearing held the court acting in the best interest and welfare of the child may make any of the following orders: (i) Enter an interlocutory decree of adoption giving the care and custody of the child to the petitioners pending further order of the court; (ii) Defer entry of an interlocutory decree of adoption and order the department of family services or a private licensed agency to investigate and report to the court the background of the child and of the petitioners, and the medical, social and psychological background and status of the consenting parent and putative father.... (iii) Enter a final decree of adoption if the child has resided in the home of the petitioner for six (6) months; or (iv) Deny the adoption if the court finds that the best interests and welfare of the child will be served by such denial. § 1-22-114. Effect of adoption. (a) Upon the entry of a final decree of adoption the former parent, guardian or putative father of the child shall have no right to the control or custody of the child. The adopting persons shall have all of the rights and obligations respecting the child as if they were natural parents. (b) Adopted persons may assume the surname of the adoptive parents. They are entitled to the same rights of person and property as children and heirs at law of the persons who adopted them.