Adopting a family member's child?

Question

Who has done this? How does it work?

Answer 1

There are many reasons why you may want to adopt a relative. Maybe the biological parents have died or are unable to care for the child. Maybe the parents have mistreated the child, and will go into foster care if a relative can't be found to raise he/she. Whatever the reason, the decision to adopt a relative means that the child will remain a part of the biological family. This can be a rewarding decision for everyone involved. There are just a few things to know when you want to adopt a relative.

1. Find out whether you legally fit the definition of "relative" in your state. In most states, a sibling, aunt, uncle, grandparent or great-grandparent is considered a relative for adoption purposes. Cousins are normally not afforded relative status in adoption cases.

2. Visit your county courthouse and ask for the appropriate paperwork to fill out to start the adoption process. You can get this paperwork from the clerk of the court. The clerk (or a member of her staff) can also answer any questions you have about relative adoption laws in your state.

3. Fill out the paperwork and submit it to the court. You'll then wait to get a hearing date. This usually takes a few days to a few weeks, and you'll be informed of the date via mail.

4. Show up to the hearing and answer any questions the judge has for you. At the hearing, you'll be informed of any special requirements you need to fulfill in order to adopt the child.

5. Complete any pre-adoption requirements the judge has set out for you. Make sure you do so in the time frame set by the judge.

6. Attend the final hearing. Take any evidence with you that you have satisfactorily completed the pre-adoption requirements. You'll fill out the final adoption paperwork at this hearing. After the hearing, you'll be the new legal parent of your relative.

Answer 2

We have adopted daughter that we adopted from our neice.You and the family member go to a family lawyer. Sit down and talk to the lawyer. Once you are sure you want this done, then you will sign papers signing your rights away. My neice was on state insurance to pay for her doc appointment. When our daughter was born, we then put her on our insurance. Of course we bought the things for the baby and if my neice needed anything we would buy it for her. Just go and find a family lawyer and they will tell you more about it. We did keep our adoption open. Good luck. Amie

Answer 3

you have to go trough the courts and both parents would have to be unfit or sign off

Answer 4

I knew a girl in elementary school who got pregnant at the age of 10 from rape, and they didn't even know she was pregnant until she went into labor 9 months later! They just thought she was getting fatter.

So when the baby was born, the girl gave the baby up for adoption to her mother, who adopted the baby. So her child became her sister.

It seemed to work out well for them...

Answer 5

I had a family member adopt my child.  They got a lawyer and took care of everything.  FYI:  if you are giving your baby to someone..make SURE you get all the details that you want in the paperwork!  Make sure they abide by them.

Answer 6

I live in the UK.

My mothers cousin, adopted me. We had to go in front of a judge....so I guess, even though it was a private adoption, it was done in court. By the way, it wasn't a forgone conclusion either...they were turned down at least once...maybe twice.

They were eventually successful (judge was right the first time!)

Answer 7

My great grandmother adopted my mom.  My mom was 6 yrs old at the time.  My moms birth mom was an alcoholic who abused my mom (took her to bars, left her alone for days at a time, beat her etc.)  My great grandmother report her to DCF and the state placed my mom with my great grandmother.  The state took away her birth mom rights and my great grandparents adopted my mom.  It was the best thing to  happen to her, her birth mom never got her life together.  If your situation is not one of abuse but one where the birth parents are looking to place their child for adoption then you go to an attorney to get started (as well as get a SW to do a home study)  the process depends on the reason for the adoption.  Good luck