48.913(1)(m)
(m) A gift to the child's birth mother from the proposed adoptive parents, of no greater than $50 in value.
48.913(2)
(2) Payment of expenses when birth parent is residing in another state. Notwithstanding
sub. (1), the proposed adoptive parents of a child or a person acting on behalf of the proposed adoptive parents of a child may pay for an expense of a birth parent of the child or an alleged or presumed father of the child if the birth parent or the alleged or presumed father was residing in another state when the payment was made and when the expense was incurred and if all of the following apply:
48.913(2)(a)
(a) The child was placed for adoption in this state in accordance with
s. 48.988.
48.913(2)(b)
(b) The state in which the birth parent or the alleged or presumed father was residing when the payment was made permits the payment of that expense by the proposed adoptive parents of the child.
48.913(2)(c)
(c) A listing of all payments made under this subsection, a copy of the statutory provisions of the state in which the birth parent or the alleged or presumed father was residing when the payments were made that permit those payments to be made by the proposed adoptive parents of the child and a copy of all orders entered in the state in which the birth parent or the alleged or presumed father was residing when the payments were made that relate to the payment of expenses of the birth parent or the alleged or presumed father by the proposed adoptive parents of the child is submitted to the court as follows:
48.913(2)(c)1.
1. With the report under
sub. (6), if the parental rights of either birth parent of the child are terminated in this state.
48.913(2)(c)2.
2. With a petition under
s. 48.837 (2), if the parental rights of both birth parents of the child are terminated in another state and the child is placed for adoption under
s. 48.837 (2).
48.913(2)(c)3.
3. With a petition under
s. 48.90, if the parental rights of both parents of the child are terminated in another state and the child is placed for adoption under
s. 48.833.
48.913(3)
(3) Method of payment. Any payment under
sub. (1) or
(2) shall be made directly to the provider of a good or service except that a payment under
sub. (1) or
(2) may be made to a birth parent of the child or to an alleged or presumed father of the child as reimbursement of an amount previously paid by the birth parent or by the alleged or presumed father if documentation is provided showing that the birth parent or alleged or presumed father has made the previous payment.
48.913(4)
(4) Other payments prohibited. The proposed adoptive parents of a child or a person acting on behalf of the proposed adoptive parents may not make any payments to or on behalf of a birth parent of the child, an alleged or presumed father of the child or the child except as provided in
subs. (1) and
(2).
48.913(5)
(5) Payments after finalization of adoption. The adoptive parents of a child or a person acting on behalf of the proposed adoptive parents may make a payment that is authorized under
subs. (1) and
(2) after finalization of the adoption, if the payment is included in the report under
sub. (6) or an amendment to that report filed with the court.
48.913(6)
(6) Report to the court; when required. A report containing the information specified in
sub. (7) shall be provided to the court at the time of the hearing on the petition for adoptive placement under
s. 48.837 (2) or upon the order of the court under
s. 48.422 (7) (bm).
48.913(7)
(7) Report to the court; contents required. The report required under
sub. (6) shall include a list of all transfers of anything of value made or agreed to be made by the proposed adoptive parents or by a person acting on their behalf to a birth parent of the child, an alleged or presumed father of the child or the child, on behalf of a birth parent of the child, an alleged or presumed father of the child or the child, or to any other person in connection with the pregnancy, the birth of the child, the placement of the child with the proposed adoptive parents or the adoption of the child by the proposed adoptive parents. The report shall be itemized and shall show the goods or services for which payment was made or agreed to be made. The report shall include the dates of each payment, the names and addresses of each attorney, doctor, hospital, agency or other person or organization receiving any payment from the proposed adoptive parents or a person acting on behalf of the proposed adoptive parents in connection with the pregnancy, the birth of the child, the placement of the child with the proposed adoptive parents or the adoption of the child by the proposed adoptive parents.
48.913(8)
(8) Adoption of foreign children and adoption by relatives of the child. This section does not apply to an adoptive or proposed adoptive parent of a child with whom the child has been placed under
s. 48.839 or to an adoptive or proposed adoptive parent of a child who is a relative of the child.
48.913 History
History: 1997 a. 104.
48.913 Note
NOTE: 1997 Wis. Act 104, which affected this section, contains explanatory notes.
48.915
48.915
Adoption appeals given preference. An appeal from a judgment granting or denying an adoption shall be given preference.
48.915 History
History: 1987 a. 383;
1993 a. 395 s.
30; Stats. 1993 s. 48.915.
48.92
48.92
Effect of adoption. 48.92(1)(1) After the order of adoption is entered the relation of parent and child and all the rights, duties and other legal consequences of the natural relation of child and parent thereafter exists between the adopted person and the adoptive parents.
48.92(2)
(2) After the order of adoption is entered the relationship of parent and child between the adopted person and the adopted person's birth parents, unless the birth parent is the spouse of the adoptive parent, shall be completely altered and all the rights, duties and other legal consequences of the relationship shall cease to exist. Notwithstanding the extinction of all parental rights under this subsection, a court may order reasonable visitation under
s. 48.925.
48.92(3)
(3) Rights of inheritance by, from and through an adopted child are governed by
ss. 854.20 and
854.21.
48.92(4)
(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed to abrogate the right of the department to make payments to adoptive families under
s. 48.48 (12).
48.92 Annotation
A valid adoption of the petitioner by his aunt would preclude his right to inherit as the son of his natural mother, although he would be entitled to inherit as a nephew. Estate of Komarr, 68 W (2d) 473, 228 NW (2d) 681.
48.92 Annotation
Biological grandparents had no right to visitation following termination of their son's parental rights and adoption by the child's stepfather. In re Marriage of Soergel, 154 W (2d) 564, 453 NW (2d) 624 (1990).
48.92 Annotation
Adoption of child of deceased parent does not terminate deceased parent's parents' grandparental visitation rights under 880.115. Grandparental Visitation of C.G.F., 168 W (2d) 62, 483 NW (2d) 803 (1992).
48.92 Annotation
Except in the case of stepparent adoption, the parental rights of both birth parents are terminated, effectively preventing a birth parent's nonmarital partner from adopting the birth parent's child. This provision does not violate the constitutional rights of either the child or nonmarital partner. Interest of Angel Lace M. 184 W (2d) 492, 516 NW (2d) 678 (1994).
48.92 Annotation
Adoption proceedings confer all parental rights on the adoptive parents and therefore resolve all issues relating to the biological grandparents' rights to assert claims for custody and guardianship. Following adoption a change requires a showing of unfitness in the adoptive parents. Elgin and Carol W. v. DHFS, 221 W (2d) 36, 584 NW (2d) 195 (Ct. App. 1998).
48.925
48.925
Visitation rights of certain persons. 48.925(1)
(1) Upon petition by a relative who has maintained a relationship similar to a parent-child relationship with a child who has been adopted by a stepparent or relative, the court may grant reasonable visitation rights to that person if the petitioner has maintained such a relationship within 2 years prior to the filing of the petition, if the adoptive parent or parents, or, if a birth parent is the spouse of an adoptive parent, the adoptive parent and birth parent, have notice of the hearing and if the court determines all of the following:
48.925(1)(a)
(a) That visitation is in the best interest of the child.
48.925(1)(b)
(b) That the petitioner will not undermine the adoptive parent's or parents' relationship with the child or, if a birth parent is the spouse of an adoptive parent, the adoptive parent's and birth parent's relationship with the child.
48.925(1)(c)
(c) That the petitioner will not act in a manner that is contrary to parenting decisions that are related to the child's physical, emotional, educational or spiritual welfare and that are made by the adoptive parent or parents or, if a birth parent is the spouse of an adoptive parent, by the adoptive parent and birth parent.
48.925(2)
(2) Whenever possible, in making a determination under
sub. (1), the court shall consider the wishes of the adopted child.
48.925(3)
(3) This section applies to every child in this state who has been adopted, by a stepparent or relative, regardless of the date of the adoption.
48.925(4)
(4) Any person who interferes with visitation rights granted under
sub. (1) may be proceeded against for contempt of court under
ch. 785, except that a court may impose only the remedial sanctions specified in
s. 785.04 (1) (a) and
(c) against that person.
48.925 History
History: 1991 a. 191.
48.925 Annotation
Grandparents' Visitation Rights Following Adoption: Expanding Traditional Boundaries in Wisconsin. Hintz. 1994 WLR 484.
48.925 Annotation
Grandparent Visitation Rights. Rothstein. Wis. Law. Nov. 1992.
48.925 Annotation
The Effect of C.G.F. and Section 48.925 on Grandparental Visitation Petitions. Hughes. Wis. Law. Nov. 1992.
48.93
48.93
Records closed. 48.93(1g)
(1g) At the time a court enters an order granting an adoption, it shall provide the adoptive parents with a copy of the child's medical record under
s. 48.425 (1) (am) or with any information provided to the court under
s. 48.422 (9) or
48.425 (2), after deleting the names and addresses of the child's birth parents and the identity of any provider of health care to the child or the child's birth parents.
48.93(1r)
(1r) Any agency which has placed a child for adoption shall, at the request of an adoptive parent or of the adoptee, after he or she has reached age 18, provide the requester without charge, except for the actual cost of reproduction, with medical or genetic information about the adoptee or about the adoptee's birth parents which it has on file and with nonidentifying social history information about the adoptee's family which it has on file, after deleting the names and addresses of the birth parents and any provider of health care to the adoptee or the adoptee's birth parents. The agency may charge a requester a fee for the cost of verifying, purging, summarizing, copying and mailing the information according to the fee schedule established by the department under
s. 48.432 (3) (c). The fee may not be more than $150 and may be waived by the agency.
48.93(2)
(2) All correspondence and papers, relating to the investigation, which are not a part of the court record, except those in the custody of agencies authorized to place children for adoption shall be transferred to the department and placed in its closed files.
48.93 Annotation
Adoption records reform: Impact on adoptees. 67 MLR 110 (1983).
48.94
48.94
New birth certificate. After entry of the order granting the adoption the clerk of the court shall promptly mail a copy thereof to the state bureau of vital statistics and furnish any additional data needed for the new birth certificate. Whenever the parents by adoption, or the adopting parent and a birth parent who is the spouse of the adopting parent, request, that the birth certificate for the person adopted be not changed, then the court shall so order. In such event no new birth certificate shall be filed by the state registrar of vital statistics, notwithstanding the provisions of
s. 69.15 (2) or any other law of this state.
48.95
48.95
Withdrawal or denial of petition. Except as provided under
s. 48.839 (3) (b), if the petition is withdrawn or denied, the circuit court shall order the case transferred to the court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under this chapter and
ch. 938 for appropriate action, except that if parental rights have been terminated and the guardian of the minor is the department, a licensed child welfare agency or a county department under
s. 48.57 (1) (e) or
(hm), the minor shall remain in the legal custody of the guardian.
48.96
48.96
Subsequent adoption. The adoption of an adopted person is authorized and, in that case, the references to parent and birth parent are to adoptive parent.
48.96 History
History: 1981 c. 359 s.
16.
48.97
48.97
Adoption orders of other jurisdictions. When the relationship of parent and child has been created by an order of adoption of a court of any other state or nation, the rights and obligations of the parties as to matters within the jurisdiction of this state shall be determined by
s. 48.92. If the adoptive parents were residents of this state at the time of the foreign adoption, the preceding sentence applies only if the department has approved the placement. A child whose adoption would otherwise be valid under this section may be readopted in accordance with this chapter.
48.975
48.975
Adoption assistance. 48.975(1)
(1)
Definition. In this section, "adoption assistance" means payments by the department to the adoptive or proposed adoptive parents of a child which are designed to assist in the cost of care of that child after an agreement under
sub. (4) has been signed and the child has been placed for adoption with the adoptive or proposed adoptive parents.
48.975(2)
(2) Applicability. The department may provide adoption assistance only for a child with special needs and only when the department has determined that such assistance is necessary to assure the child's adoption.
48.975(3)
(3) Types. The department may provide adoption assistance for maintenance, medical care or nonrecurring adoption expenses, or for any combination of those types of adoption assistance, according to the following criteria:
48.975(3)(a)1.1. Except as provided in
subd. 3., for support of a child who was in foster care or treatment foster care immediately prior to placement for adoption, the initial amount of adoption assistance for maintenance shall be equivalent to the amount of that child's foster care or treatment foster care payment at the time that the agreement under
sub. (4) (a) is signed or a lesser amount if agreed to by the proposed adoptive parents and specified in that agreement.
48.975(3)(a)2.
2. Except as provided in
subd. 3., for support of a child not in foster care or treatment foster care immediately prior to placement for adoption, the initial amount of adoption assistance for maintenance shall be equivalent to the uniform foster care rate in effect at the time that the agreement under
sub. (4) (a) is signed or a lesser amount if agreed to by the proposed adoptive parents and specified in that agreement.
48.975(3)(a)3.
3. For support of a child who is defined under rules promulgated by the department under
sub. (5) (b) as a child with special needs based solely on being at high risk of developing moderate or intensive difficulty-of-care problems, the initial amount of adoption assistance for maintenance shall be $0.
48.975(3)(a)4.
4. The amount of adoption assistance for maintenance may be changed under an amended agreement under
sub. (4) (b) or
(c). If an agreement is amended under
sub. (4) (b) or
(c), the amount of adoption assistance for maintenance shall be the amount specified in the amended agreement but may not exceed the uniform foster care rate that would be applicable to the child if the child were in foster care during the time for which the adoption assistance for maintenance is paid.
48.975(3)(b)
(b)
Medical. The adoption assistance for medical care shall be sufficient to pay expenses due to a physical, mental or emotional condition of the child which is not covered by a health insurance policy insuring the child or the parent.
48.975(3)(c)
(c)
Nonrecurring adoption expenses. Subject to any maximum amount provided by the department by rule promulgated under
sub. (5), the adoption assistance for nonrecurring adoption expenses shall be sufficient to pay the reasonable and necessary adoption fees, court costs, legal fees and other expenses that are directly related to the adoption of the child and that are not incurred in violation of any state or federal law.
48.975(3m)
(3m) Duration. The adoption assistance may be continued after the adoptee reaches the age of 18 if that adoptee is a full-time high school student.
48.975(4)(a)(a) Except in extenuating circumstances, as defined by the department by rule promulgated under
sub. (5) (a), a written agreement to provide adoption assistance shall be made prior to adoption. An agreement to provide adoption assistance may be made only for a child who, at the time of placement for adoption, is in the guardianship of the department or other agency authorized to place children for adoption or in the guardianship of an American Indian tribal agency in this state.
48.975(4)(b)
(b) If an agreement to provide adoption assistance is in effect and if the adoptive or proposed adoptive parents of the child who is the subject of the agreement believe there has been a substantial change in circumstances, as defined by the department by rule promulgated under
sub. (5) (c), the adoptive or proposed adoptive parents may request that the agreement be amended to increase the amount of adoption assistance for maintenance. If a request is received under this paragraph, the department shall do all of the following:
48.975(4)(b)1.
1. Determine whether there has been a substantial change in circumstances, as defined by the department by rule promulgated under
sub. (5) (c) and whether there has been a substantiated report of abuse or neglect of the child by the adoptive or proposed adoptive parents.
48.975(4)(b)2.
2. If there has been a substantial change in circumstances and if there has been no substantiated report of abuse or neglect of the child by the adoptive or proposed adoptive parents, offer to increase the amount of adoption assistance for maintenance based on criteria established by the department by rule promulgated under
sub. (5) (d).
48.975(4)(b)3.
3. If an increased amount of adoption assistance for maintenance is agreed to by the adoptive or proposed adoptive parents, amend the agreement in writing to specify the increased amount of adoption assistance for maintenance.
48.975(4)(bm)
(bm) Annually, the department shall review an agreement that has been amended under
par. (b) to determine whether the substantial change in circumstances that was the basis for amending the agreement continues to exist. If that substantial change in circumstances continues to exist, the agreement, as amended, shall remain in effect. If that substantial change in circumstances no longer exists, the department shall offer to decrease the amount of adoption assistance for maintenance based on criteria established by the department under
sub. (5) (dm). If the decreased amount of adoption assistance for maintenance is agreed to by the adoptive or proposed adoptive parents, the department shall amend the agreement in writing to specify the decreased amount of adoption assistance for maintenance. If the decreased amount of adoption assistance for maintenance is not agreed to by the adoptive or proposed adoptive parents, the adoptive or proposed adoptive parents may appeal the decision of the department regarding the decrease under the procedure established by the department under
sub. (5) (dm).
48.975(4)(c)
(c) The department may propose to the adoptive or proposed adoptive parents that an agreement to provide adoption assistance be amended to adjust the amount of adoption assistance for maintenance. If an adjustment in the amount of adoption assistance for maintenance is agreed to by the adoptive or proposed adoptive parents, the agreement shall be amended in writing to specify the adjusted amount of adoption assistance for maintenance.
48.975(4)(d)
(d) An agreement to provide adoption assistance may be amended more than once under
par. (b) or
(c).
48.975(5)
(5) Rules. The department shall promulgate rules necessary to implement this section, which shall include all of the following:
48.975(5)(a)
(a) A rule defining the extenuating circumstances under which an initial agreement to provide adoption assistance under
sub. (4) (a) may be made after adoption. This definition shall include all circumstances under which federal statutes, regulations or guidelines provide that federal matching funds for adoption assistance are available to the state if an initial agreement is made after adoption, but may not include circumstances under which federal statutes, regulations or guidelines provide that federal matching funds for adoption assistance are not available if an initial agreement is made after adoption.
48.975(5)(b)
(b) A rule defining a child with special needs, which shall include a child who the department determines has, at the time of placement for adoption, moderate or intensive difficulty-of-care problems, as defined by the department, or who the department determines is, at the time of placement for adoption, at high risk of developing those problems.
48.975(5)(c)
(c) A rule defining the substantial change in circumstances under which adoptive or proposed adoptive parents may request that an agreement made under
sub. (4) be amended to increase the amount of adoption assistance for maintenance. The definition shall include all of the following:
48.975(5)(c)1.
1. Situations in which a child who was defined as a child with special needs based solely on being at high risk of developing moderate or intensive difficulty-of-care problems has developed those problems.
48.975(5)(c)2.
2. Situations in which a child's difficulty-of-care problems have increased from the moderate level to the intensive level as set forth in the department's schedule of difficulty-of-care levels promulgated by rule.
48.975(5)(d)
(d) Rules establishing requirements for submitting a request under
sub. (4) (b), criteria for determining the amount of the increase in adoption assistance for maintenance that the department shall offer if there has been a substantial change in circumstances and if there has been no substantiated report of abuse or neglect of the child by the adoptive or proposed adoptive parents, and the procedure to appeal the decision of the department regarding the request.
48.975(5)(dm)
(dm) Rules establishing the criteria for determining the amount of the decrease in adoption assistance for maintenance that the department shall offer under
sub. (4) (bm) if a substantial change in circumstances no longer exists and the procedure to appeal the decision of the department regarding the decrease. The criteria shall provide that the amount of the decrease offered by the department under
sub. (4) (bm) may not result in an amount of adoption assistance for maintenance that is less than the initial amount of adoption assistance for maintenance provided for the child under
sub. (3) (a) 1.,
2. or
3.
48.975(5)(e)
(e) A rule regarding when a child must be photolisted with the adoption information exchange under
s. 48.55 in order to be eligible for adoption assistance. The rule may not require photolisting under any circumstances in which photolisting is not required by federal statutes, regulations or guidelines as a prerequisite for the state to receive federal matching funds for adoption assistance.
48.977
48.977
Appointment of relatives as guardians for certain children in need of protection or services.
