# Family Law (GFL)

## Title 5. Children

### Subtitle 3. Guardianship to and Adoption Through Local Department

#### Section 5-334

(a) Promptly after a petition for adoption is filed under this Part III of this subtitle, a juvenile court shall issue a show-cause order that requires the party to whom issued to respond as required under the Maryland Rules.

(b) On issuance of a show-cause order as to adoption of a child under this section, a petitioner shall serve the order on:

  (1) each of the child's living parents who has not consented to the adoption;

  (2) each living parent's last attorney of record in the CINA case; and

  (3) the child's last attorney of record in the CINA case.

(c) Service under this section shall be:

  (1) on a parent, by:

    (i) first-class mail; and

    (ii)

      (1) personal service; or

      (2) certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested; and

  (2) on an attorney, by:

    (i) personal service; or

    (ii) certified mail, return receipt requested.

(d) Service on a parent under this section shall be attempted as provided in Sec. 5-316(d), (e), and (f) of this subtitle.

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Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)