Chapter 48

48.90 48.90 Filing of adoption petition; preadoption residence.

48.90(1) (1) A petition for adoption may be filed at any time if:

48.90(1)(a) (a) One of the petitioners is a relative of the child by blood or by adoption, excluding parents whose parental rights have been terminated and persons whose relationship to the child is derived through such parents.

48.90(1)(b) (b) The petitioner is the child’s stepparent.

48.90(1)(c) (c) The petition is accompanied by a written approval of the guardian.

48.90(1)(d) (d) The petitioner is the proposed adoptive parent with whom the child has been placed under s. 48.839.

48.90(2) (2) Except as provided under sub. (1), no petition for adoption may be filed unless the child has been in the home of the petitioners for 6 months or more.

48.90(3) (3) No petition for adoption may be filed unless the petitioners have complied with all applicable provisions of this chapter relating to adoptive placements.

48.90 History History: 1973 c. 263; 1977 c. 354; 1977 c. 418 s. 929 (18); 1981 c. 81; 1997 a. 104.

48.90 Annotation Once administrative proceedings to remove a child from an in-home placement have commenced under s. 48.64 and the person with whom the child had been placed is seeking a review of the removal order, a children’s court has no jurisdiction over an adoption petition filed by the person after issuance of the removal order. Styczynski v. DHSS, 65 Wis. 2d 190, 222 N.W.2d 139 (1974).

48.90 Annotation Standing to object to adoption proceedings turns on the right to petition for adoption; grandparents excluded from petitioning under sub. (1) (a) had no standing to object to the adoption of their grandchildren. L.P. v. B.G., 177 Wis. 2d 424, 501 N.W.2d 908 (Ct. App. 1993).

48.91 48.91 Hearing; order.

48.91(1) (1) The hearing may be in chambers unless an interested person objects. The petitioner and the minor to be adopted, if 14 or older, shall attend unless the court orders otherwise.

48.91(2) (2) In an adoption proceeding for a nonmarital child who is not adopted or whose parents do not subsequently intermarry under s. 767.803, the court shall establish whether the child’s paternity has been conclusively determined from genetic test results under s. 767.804, acknowledged under s. 767.805 or a substantially similar law of another state, or adjudicated in this state or in another jurisdiction. If the child’s paternity has not been conclusively determined from genetic test results, acknowledged, or adjudicated, the court shall attempt to ascertain the paternity of the child and shall determine the rights of any person who may be the father of the child as provided under s. 48.423. The court may not proceed with the hearing on the petition for adoption unless the parental rights of the nonpetitioning parent, whether known or unknown, have been terminated.

48.91(3) (3) If after the hearing and a study of the report required by s. 48.88 and the recommendation required by s. 48.841 or 48.89, the court is satisfied that the necessary consents or recommendations have been filed and that the adoption is in the best interests of the child, the court shall make an order granting the adoption. In determining whether the adoption is in the best interests of an Indian child, the court shall comply with the order of placement preference under s. 48.028 (7) (a) or, if applicable, s. 48.028 (7) (c), unless the court finds good cause, as described in s. 48.028 (7) (e), for departing from that order. The order may change the name of the minor to that requested by petitioners.

48.91 History History: 1973 c. 263; 1979 c. 330; 1981 c. 81; 1983 a. 447; 1987 a. 383; 1995 a. 443; 1997 a. 191; 2005 a. 293; 2005 a. 443 s. 265; 2009 a. 94; 2019 a. 95.

48.91 Annotation Discussing the meaning of “best interests of the child.” Shehow v. Plier, 60 Wis. 2d 540, 210 N.W.2d 865 (1973).

48.913 48.913 Payments by adoptive or proposed adoptive parents to a birth parent or child or on behalf of a birth parent or child.

48.913(1) (1) Payments allowed. The proposed adoptive parents of a child, or a person acting on behalf of the proposed adoptive parents, may pay the actual cost of any of the following:

48.913(1)(a) (a) Preadoptive counseling for a birth parent of the child or an alleged or presumed father of the child.

48.913(1)(b) (b) Post-adoptive counseling for a birth parent of the child or an alleged or presumed father of the child.

48.913(1)(c) (c) Maternity clothes for the child’s birth mother, in an amount not to exceed $300.

48.913(1)(d) (d) Local transportation expenses of a birth parent of the child that are related to the pregnancy or adoption.

48.913(1)(e) (e) Services provided by a licensed child welfare agency in connection with the adoption.

48.913(1)(f) (f) Medical and hospital care received by the child’s birth mother in connection with the pregnancy or birth of the child. Medical and hospital care does not include lost wages or living expenses.

48.913(1)(g) (g) Medical and hospital care received by the child.

48.913(1)(h) (h) Legal and other services received by a birth parent of the child, an alleged or presumed father of the child or the child in connection with the adoption.

48.913(1)(i) (i) Living expenses of the child’s birth mother, in an amount not to exceed $5,000, if payment of the expenses by the proposed adoptive parents or a person acting on their behalf is necessary to protect the health and welfare of the birth mother or the fetus.

48.913(1)(j) (j) Any investigation ordered under s. 48.837 (4) (c), according to a fee schedule established by the department based on ability to pay.

48.913(1)(k) (k) If the adoption is completed, the cost of any care provided for the child under s. 48.837 (4) (d) or (dm).

48.913(1)(L) (L) Birthing classes.

48.913(1)(m) (m) A gift to the child’s birth mother from the proposed adoptive parents, of no greater than $100 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 or 48.99.

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; 2005 a. 293; 2007 a. 186; 2009 a. 339.

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 and the relationship between the adopted person and all persons whose relationship to the adopted person is derived through those birth parents shall be completely altered and all the rights, duties, and other legal consequences of those relationships shall cease to exist, unless the birth parent is the spouse of the adoptive parent, in which case those relationships shall be completely altered and those rights, duties, and other legal consequences shall cease to exist only with respect to the birth parent who is not the spouse of the adoptive parent and all persons whose relationship to the adopted person is derived through that birth parent. 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 History History: 1973 c. 90; 1981 c. 359 s. 16; 1991 a. 191, 316; 1997 a. 35, 188; 2005 a. 232.

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. Vargo v. Buban, 68 Wis. 2d 473, 228 N.W.2d 681 (1975).

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. Soergel v. Raufman, 154 Wis. 2d 564, 453 N.W.2d 624 (1990).

48.92 Annotation The adoption of a child of a deceased parent does not terminate the decedent’s parents’ grandparental visitation rights under s. 880.155 [now s. 48.9795 (12)]. H.F. v. T.F., 168 Wis. 2d 62, 483 N.W.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. Georgina G. v. Terry M., 184 Wis. 2d 492, 516 N.W.2d 678 (1994). See also A.M.B. v. Circuit Court, 2024 WI 18, 411 Wis. 2d 389, 5 N.W.3d 238, 22-1334.

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 W. v. DHFS, 221 Wis. 2d 36, 584 N.W.2d 195 (Ct. App. 1998), 97-3595.

48.92 Annotation Sub. (2) does not nullify prior support arrearage obligations for which a natural parent became liable before that parent’s parental rights were terminated. Hernandez v. Allen, 2005 WI App 247, 288 Wis. 2d 111, 707 N.W.2d 557, 04-2696.

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, subject to subs. (1m) and (2), 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(1m) (1m) 

48.925(1m)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), the court may not grant visitation rights under sub. (1) to a relative who has maintained a relationship similar to a parent-child relationship with a child if the relative has been convicted under s. 940.01 of the first-degree intentional homicide, or under s. 940.05 of the 2nd-degree intentional homicide, of a parent of the child, and the conviction has not been reversed, set aside or vacated.

48.925(1m)(am) (am) Except as provided in par. (b), if a relative who is granted visitation rights with a child under sub. (1) is convicted under s. 940.01 of the first-degree intentional homicide, or under s. 940.05 of the 2nd-degree intentional homicide, of a parent of the child, and the conviction has not been reversed, set aside or vacated, the court shall issue an order prohibiting the relative from having visitation with the child on petition of the child or the parent, guardian or legal custodian of the child, or on the court’s own motion, and on notice to the relative.

48.925(1m)(b) (b) Paragraphs (a) and (am) do not apply if the court determines by clear and convincing evidence that the visitation would be in the best interests of the child. The court shall consider the wishes of the child in making that determination.

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; 1999 a. 9.

48.925 Annotation Grandparents’ Visitation Rights Following Adoption: Expanding Traditional Boundaries in Wisconsin. Hintz. 1994 WLR 483.

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(1) (1) In this section, “adoptee” has the meaning given in s. 48.432 (1) (a).

48.93(1d) (1d) All records and papers pertaining to an adoption proceeding shall be kept in a separate locked file and may not be disclosed except under sub. (1g), (1r), (1v), or (1w), s. 48.432, 48.433, 48.434, 48.48 (17) (a) 9. or 48.57 (1) (j), or by order of the court for good cause shown.

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(1v) (1v) 

48.93(1v)(a) (a) At the time a court enters an order granting adoption of an Indian child, the court shall provide the U.S. secretary of the interior with the information specified in s. 48.028 (9) (a) and (b).

48.93(1v)(b) (b) At the request of an Indian adoptee who is 18 years of age or older, the court that entered the order granting adoption of the adoptee shall provide or arrange to provide the adoptee with the information specified in s. 48.028 (9) (c).

48.93(1w) (1w) At the time a court grants an adoption of a child who was placed for adoption under s. 48.833, 48.834, 48.837, or 48.839, the court shall advise the adoptive parent that the agency that placed the child for adoption under s. 48.833 or 48.834, that was appointed the guardian of the child under s. 48.837 (6) (d), or that negotiated or arranged the placement for adoption under s. 48.839 will provide the names and contact information of the adoptive parent, and name and birth date of the adopted child, to the state-funded postadoption resource center that serves the area within which the parent resides within 90 days after the court grants the adoption unless the adoptive parent elects not to have that information so provided. If the adoptive parent makes that election, the agency may not provide that information. If the adoptive parent does not make that election, the agency shall provide that information within 90 days after the court grants the adoption.

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 History History: 1979 c. 34; 1981 c. 359; 1983 a. 471; 1989 a. 31; 1997 a. 27, 104, 252; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 94; 2015 a. 379.

48.93 Annotation Adoption Records Reform: Impact on Adoptees. Simanek. 67 MLR 110 (1983).