Cite as: 10 CNCA § 1133

A. After parental rights have been terminated, a Court may award custody of the child to any qualified person or agency with authority to consent to the adoption of the child, or the Court, in its discretion, may reserve the authority to consent to the adoption of the child; but a Court cannot consent to or authorize any person or agency to consent to the adoption of a child unless the rights of the parents have been terminated in accordance with the provisions of this act.

B. When an interlocutory or final decree of adoption has been rendered, a decree terminating parental rights cannot be challenged on any ground either by a direct or a collateral attack, more than three (3) months after its rendition. The minority of the natural parent shall not operate to prevent this time limit from running.