Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 77.djvu/569

 77 STAT. ]

PUBLIC LAW 88-241-DEC. 23, 1963

C H A P T E R l—ACCOUNT Sec. 16-101. Parties.

§ 16-101. Parties A n action of account ^hall and may be brought against the executor ind administrator of every guardian, bailiff and receiver; and by one joint-tenant and tenant in common, his executors and administrators, against the other, as bailiff for receiving more than comes to his just share or proportion, and against the executor and administrator of such a jomt-tenant or tenant in common. C H A P T E R 3—ADOPTION See.

16-301. 16-302. 16-303. 16-.304. 16-305. 16-306. 16-:i07. 16-308. 16-309. 16-310. 16-311. 16-312. 16-^13. 16-314.

Jurisdiction; rules. Persona who may adopt. Persons adopted. Consent Petition for adoption. Notice of adoption proceeding. InvestlRation, report, and recommendation. Investigations when prospective adoptee is adult or petitioner is spouse of natural parent. Adoption proceedings. Finality of decrees of adoption. Sealing and inspection of records and papers. Legal effects of adoption. Child as including adopted person. Birth certificates.

§16-301. Jurisdiction; rules (a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the Domestic Relations Branch of the District of Columbia Court of General Sessions has jurisdiction to hear and determine petitions and decrees of adoption of any adult or child with authority to make such rules, not inconsistent with this chapter, as shall bring fully before the court for consideration the interests of the prospective adoptee, the natural parents, the petitioner, and any other properly interested party. (b) Jurisdiction shall be conferred when any of the following circumstances exist: (1) petitioner is a legal resident of the District of Columbia: (2) petitioner has actually resided in the District for at least one year next preceding the filing of the petition; or (3) the child to be adopted is in the legal care, custody, or control of the Commissioners or a child-placing agency licensed under the laws of the District. § 16^02. Persons who may adopt ^ Any person may petition the court for a decree of adoption. A petition may not be considered by the court unless petitioner's spouse, if he has one, joins in the petition, except that if either the husband or wife is a natural parent of the prospective adoptee, the natural parent need not join in the petition with the adopting parent, but need only give his or her consent to the adoption. If the marital status of the petitioner changes after the time of filing the petition and before the time the decree of adoption is final, the petition must be amended accordingly. § 16^03. Persons adopted A person, whether a minor or BXI adult, may be adopted.

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