Art. 1147 Grounds

Once a parent signs papers giving up their child for adoption, it is very hard to undo that decision later. The only way a court will cancel or overturn the surrender is if there is proof that the parent was forced into it (duress) or was tricked or lied to about it (fraud).

This means simply changing your mind is not enough to reverse a surrender. If a parent later feels regret or decides they want their child back, the court will not undo the adoption papers based on that alone. The parent must show real evidence that someone pressured them against their will or deceived them into signing.

This rule exists to make adoptions stable and final. Adoptive families, birth parents, and children all need to know that once the legal process is properly completed, it will not be easily reopened. The law sets a high bar, requiring solid proof of duress or fraud, before a judge will consider cancelling a surrender.