# Family Law (GFL)

## Title 5. Children

### Subtitle 3B. Independent Adoption

#### Section 5-3B-08

(a) A court may order an adoptive parent to pay, wholly or partly, reasonable fees for a former parent's:

  (1) independent counsel; or

  (2) adoption counseling or guidance for a reasonable time.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (a) of this section, a court may assign among the parties to a case under this subtitle counsel fees, counseling or guidance fees, and costs of testing under Sec. 5-3B-05 of this subtitle, as the court considers appropriate.

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