N.Y. Domestic Relations Law § 115-e: Effect of death of potential adoptive parent

§ 115-e. Effect of death of potential adoptive parent. Notwithstanding

any other provision of law to the contrary, when a petition for adoption

by two persons has been duly filed, and one of the petitioners dies

before the adoption is complete, it shall be treated as a change of

circumstance. This change may be reviewed to assure that the adoption is

in the best interest of the child. The death of one of the adoptive

parents shall not, by itself, invalidate a certification nor shall the

death of one of the adoptive parents cause a new petition for adoption

to be filed. The deceased adoptive parent shall be considered one of the

legal parents, unless the surviving adoptive parent requests otherwise.