{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-5-3a-29","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Family Law § 5–3A–29","heading":"","body":"(a) Any adult may petition a court for an adoption under this subtitle.\n(b) A petitioner may petition for adoption of a child 180 days or more after a child placement agency places the child with the petitioner.\n(c) (1) If a petitioner under this section is married, the petitioner’s spouse shall join in the petition unless the spouse:\n(i) is separated from the petitioner under a circumstance that gives the petitioner a ground for annulment or divorce; or\n(ii) is not competent to join in the petition.\n(2) If the marital status of a petitioner changes before entry of a final order, the petitioner shall amend the petition accordingly.","path":["Article - Family Law"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gfl\u0026section=5-3A-29","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:58:17Z","sha256":"d981c06be7406f937e7e734e53dfe64779ab57b83b0c1fcdf2665bf388071bb1","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-5-3a-25","next":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-5-3a-30"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}