North Carolina General Statutes
Article 3 - Adoption of Minors.
§ 48-3-501 - Petitioner entitled to custody in direct placement adoptions.

48-3-501. Petitioner entitled to custody in direct placement adoptions.
Unless the court orders otherwise, when a parent or guardian places the adoptee directly with the petitioner, the petitioner acquires that parent's or guardian's right to legal and continuing physical custody of the adoptee and becomes a person responsible for the care and support of the adoptee, after the earliest of:
(1) The execution of consent by the parent or guardian who placed the adoptee;
(2) The filing of a petition for adoption by the petitioner; or
(3) The execution of a document by a parent or guardian having legal and physical custody of a minor temporarily transferring custody to the petitioner, pending the execution of a consent. (1949, c. 300; 1995, c. 457, s. 2.)

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