Montana Code Annotated 2021

TITLE 42. ADOPTION

CHAPTER 5. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Part 2. Legal Effect

Effect Of Decree

42-5-202. Effect of decree. (1) After the decree of adoption is entered:

(a) the relationship of parent and child and all the rights, duties, and other legal consequences of the relation of parent and child exist between the adoptee and the adoptive parent and the kindred of the adoptive parent;

(b) the former parents and the kindred of the former parents of the adoptee, unless they are the adoptive parents or the spouse of an adoptive parent, are relieved of all parental responsibilities for the adoptee and have no rights over the adoptee except for a former parent's duty to pay arrearages for child support.

(2) A decree of adoption must include notice to the vital statistics bureau if it is known that either birth parent objects to release of the information on the original birth certificate upon the adoptee reaching 18 years of age.

(3) The relationship of parent and child for the purposes of intestate succession is governed by Title 72.

History: En. Sec. 136, Ch. 480, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 19, Ch. 257, L. 1999.