North Dakota court bars unmarried couples from jointly adopting children, despite parental consent

In a landmark decision, North Dakota’s Supreme Court ruled that unmarried couples are barred from adopting a child together, as dictated by existing state law. This case involved a grandmother and her partner who intended to adopt her grandchild, with agreement from both biological parents. The court clarified that only legislative changes can alter adoption laws, while allowing individual adoption requests from either of the parties involved.