In re Adoption of Trent

The opinion of the court was delivered by This is an adoption case which presents an issue as to whether the natural mother's consent to the adoption of her child is valid. The issue is a matter of first impression in our Kansas courts. We granted a petition for review of the judgment of the Court of Appeals which is published in 5 Kan. App. 2d 363, 616 P.2d 304 (1980). The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court's order denying a minor child's adoption, holding that the natural mother's written consent was invalid for lack of authority in the notary, before whom the execution of the consent [229 Kan. 225] was acknowledged. On review, we hold the lower courts erred in denying the adoption. The natural mother's written consent was in substantial compliance with Kansas adoption consent statute, K.S.A. 59-2102.