HARRY HUGHES, Governor

1933

(B)  IN GENERAL.

EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION, AFTER A DECREE
OF ADOPTION IS ENTERED:

(1)  THE INDIVIDUAL ADOPTED:

(I)  IS THE CHILD OF THE PETITIONER FOR ALL
INTENTS AND PURPOSES; AND

(II)  IS ENTITLED TO ALL THE RIGHTS AND
PRIVILEGES OF AND IS SUBJECT TO ALL THE OBLIGATIONS OF A CHILD
BORN TO THE PETITIONER IN WEDLOCK;

(2)  EACH LIVING NATURAL PARENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL
ADOPTED IS:

(I)  RELIEVED OF ALL PARENTAL DUTIES AND
OBLIGATIONS TO THE INDIVIDUAL ADOPTED; AND

(II)  DIVESTED OF ALL PARENTAL RIGHTS AS TO THE
INDIVIDUAL ADOPTED; AND

(3)  ALL RIGHTS OF INHERITANCE BETWEEN THE INDIVIDUAL
ADOPTED AND THE NATURAL RELATIVES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE
ESTATES AND TRUSTS ARTICLE.

(C)  EFFECT OF ADOPTION OF ADULT.

THE LEGAL EFFECT OF AN ADOPTION OF AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS AN
ADULT IS THE SAME AS THAT OF THE ADOPTION OF A MINOR.

(D)  CERTAIN TERMS TO INCLUDE ADOPTED INDIVIDUALS.

(1)  IN THIS SUBSECTION, "INSTRUMENT" MEANS A DEED,
GRANT, WILL, OR OTHER WRITTEN INSTRUMENT.

(2)  IN ANY INSTRUMENT EXECUTED ON OR AFTER JUNE 1,
1947, UNLESS THE INSTRUMENT CLEARLY INDICATES OTHERWISE, "CHILD",
"DESCENDANT", "HEIR", "ISSUE", OR ANY EQUIVALENT TERM INCLUDES AN
ADOPTED INDIVIDUAL WHETHER THE INSTRUMENT WAS EXECUTED BEFORE OR
AFTER THE DECREE OF ADOPTION WAS ENTERED.

(3)  IN ANY INSTRUMENT EXECUTED BEFORE JUNE 1, 1947,
UNLESS THE INSTRUMENT CLEARLY INDICATES OTHERWISE, "CHILD",
"DESCENDANT", "HEIR", "ISSUE", OR ANY EQUIVALENT TERM INCLUDES AN
ADOPTED INDIVIDUAL IF THE INTERLOCUTORY DECREE OF ADOPTION, IF
ANY, OR, IF NONE, THE FINAL DECREE OF ADOPTION WAS ENTERED ON OR
AFTER JUNE 1, 1947.

(E)  INTERLOCUTORY DECREE OF ADOPTION.

(1) UNLESS AND UNTIL AN INTERLOCUTORY DECREE OF
ADOPTION IS REVOKED, IT HAS THE SAME EFFECT AS A FINAL DECREE OF
ADOPTION.