Art. 1218.  Effect of final decree

A.  Except as otherwise provided in this Title, upon a final decree of agency adoption, the parents of the child whose rights have not been previously terminated by a surrender or a judgment of termination and all other blood relatives of the child are relieved of all their legal duties and divested of all their legal rights with regard to the adopted child, including the right of inheritance from the adopted child and his lawful descendants, and the adopted child is relieved of all of his legal duties and divested of all his legal rights with regard to the parents, except as provided in Paragraph B.

B.  The right of the child to inherit from his parents and other blood relatives is unaffected by the adoption.

C.  Under the circumstances and pursuant to the procedures authorized by Chapter 14 of this Title, grandparents may obtain limited visitation rights to the adopted child.

D.  Parents, grandparents, siblings, or other relatives by blood, adoption, or affinity who have an established and significant relationship may be allowed continuing contact with an adopted child in accordance with Chapter 14-A of this Title.

Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 2001, No. 568, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2003, No. 567, §1.