In re Jason C.

This appeal from a decree of the Probate Court for Hillsborough County (Cloutier, J.) challenges a ruling of law that two unmarried adults may not jointly petition to adopt a child under RSA chapter 170-B. We affirm.

Daniel and Mary Lou C. were husband and wife in May, 1983, when they became foster parents of Jason C. They were divorced in July 1985, under a decree which recognized that Jason would remain with Mary Lou, but that Daniel would contribute toward the child’s support and would have rights of visitation.

The following October, Mary Lou petitioned the probate court to adopt the child,…