Art. 1118 Effect of acceptance

When someone gives up a child for adoption and the surrender is accepted, the person or agency taking custody now has full legal authority over that child. This means they can make decisions about the child's daily life, health care, education, and general welfare, just like a legal guardian would.

This rule makes it clear that once the surrender happens, the responsibility shifts completely. The agency or person who accepts the child steps into the role of legal custodian and takes on all the duties that come with it. The birth parent no longer holds these rights or responsibilities once the surrender is accepted.