Can you adopt without agency or court?

Question

I have a teenage relative who does not want her baby and we talked her out of abortion. She is a relative by marriage. My question is that my husband and I would like to take the baby but do not want to go through long drawn out court ordeal or go through an agency since this is a relative. Is there a way to do this without all that happening? Basically do you have to go to a court in order to adopt or is there a way we can just sign papers or something of the sorts? Thank for any help you may have.

Answer 1

Either way it has to go through the court. First I would like to tell you I think you are doing a good thing but... be careful not to get your hopes up as alot of women change their minds. The normal way people due this is through lawyers. To protect yourself she should have her own lawyer to represent herself and you should have your own. If everyone agrees after the birth the paperwork will be sent for court or judge approval. A judge has to make sure everything is in order before granting the adoption.

Answer 2

no you cant you need to go to court

Answer 3

You will have to get a lawyer and get a adoption certificate as well as have birth mom (and possibly dad) legally sign over their parental rights.  There isn't any way to avoid this if you want to adopt the child legally.

Answer 4

legal issues such as adoption need to be addressed in legal court, one could really mess things up without legal procedures

Answer 5

I honestly don't think there is any way to avoid court. some areas have alot more involved. Background checks, homestudies, many interviews, references. even for family members. The first thing is court to get the parental rights terminated and that involves both parents.  The simplest way is legal guardianship but a court appearance is still needed.

Answer 6

Even with a private adoption you still need to have a homestudy, background checks and everything anyone else adoption does, We used an agency to do ours and an attorney to deal with the legal side. this is something I wouldn't just "wing it" with.

She can, however give you temporary custody, which can last until the child is 18. You'd have the same right as the parents do, except for seeking an HIV test, only the people on the birth certificate can do that.

Like another poster said, if you go through DJFS, you may get them to do all of that for you. I researched that avenue, but we still would have had to have all the same things, just the child would be part of the "System" which none of us (all 4 parents) wanted.

Good luck.

Answer 7

No, you can't

With a relative it would make sense to have some kind of guardianship agreement.  Perhaps that process will involve less 'inconvenience' to you

Answer 8

Depends where you are from....

In Canada, No you can not... it's against the law...

You pay them and only them or get nuthing...

Answer 9

You have to get an adoption lawyer, but you definitely don't need an agency.  You will want the lawyer to handle the birth mother and birth father consents as well as get the court documents ready for the judge to sign off.  The only hassle is the cost of the lawyer.  They should take care of everything needed in both states- consents, post placement visits, etc. and all you will have to do is show up for a short court appearance.  Then you file for a new birth certificate and social security numbers and you are all set to go (legally speaking).  Good luck.

Answer 10

If she's in agreement with the adoption and does not fight anything about it, it's merely a matter of paperwork. You'll still go, but not time and again like the horror stories you hear.

In the states you can have a private adoption without trouble.

Answer 11

You don't have to have an attorney or an agency if you go to the Department of Children and Family Services.  However, all adoptions must be finalized by a court.

Answer 12

Yes, you have to go to court in order to adopt, so I would suggest that you secure a lawyer in your relative's state.  Now, of course, you are going to support the girl and her baby if she decides to keep it, right?  You weren't just having her save the baby for yourselves?  I am saying this to you now because I would be willing to bet that the judge will ask the same questions.