Art. 1285.11 Expiration of interlocutory decree

Here's a plain English summary of this rule:

When a court grants an interlocutory decree (a temporary or provisional order in an adoption case), the people involved have two years to file for a final decree. If they don't file within that two-year window, the interlocutory decree automatically becomes void. It's as if it never existed.

There's an exception, though. If someone has a good reason for the delay, they can ask the court for more time. The court will look at the reason and decide whether to grant an extension. Without that extension or a final decree filed in time, the case simply expires.

This rule pushes people to keep their adoption cases moving forward instead of leaving them open indefinitely. If you're waiting on a final decree, mark your calendar. Letting two years pass without action could mean starting the process over again.