Step-parent Adoption....how long does the process take?

Question

I live the state of CA and my husband is going to be adopting my son (Father has already agreeded to adoption) and we where wondering if anyone knew how long the process could take?

Answer 1

it could take 3 months to a year

Answer 2

Hi how are you?? I am trying to do the exact same thing here in NC! My 9 year olds biological dad has 3 other kids all born after my son and has agreed to sign over rights to prevent having to pay 13,000 back child support.Hasnt seen him in over a year and hasnt called in almost that long!He is about as sorry as h**l! I would love to chat with you farther if you would like send me your email address!Good Luck!

Answer 3

in the sate of tennessee it only hadd to go to court. after the judge granted the adoption it was final that second. as long as the father doesnt want anything to do with the kid, if he does then you may want to think of other options. our judge said that child support wasnt as important as visiting with the kid. youmay want to look deper into it and make sure that you all three know what the process before during and after wil be like.

Answer 4

I have no idea how long it takes, but how did you get the biological father to agree to the adoption in the first place??

Seriously, I'd like to know!

Answer 5

If you want you can contact the adoption agency I went through. Glad adoption center. 1-812-424-4523

Ask for Nancy Vanhoose

Answer 6

i think the process could not take. appromiaxtely about 1 years or get a lawyer to do the paper works for you.

Answer 7

It took us four months, start to finish.  Including the one court date and the home study.  Just a lot of waiting.

Answer 8

I am curious how you got the biological father to agree? My sons father is court ordered to pay child support and it is garnished weekly from his paycheck. However, he has not seen our 13 year old son since he was 2. I have a lifetime protective order against him preventing him from ever seeing this child and have been married to my husband since my son was a year old. My son does not know his real father. In the state of Oklahoma as long as the Biological parent has not been active in the childs life more than 12 months it dont matter if they pay support or not, also if any past support is due he is still responsible for it just not any current child support since he becomes responsibility of your new husband. It took me about 1 month and I had to put an add in a legal paper for 2 weeks stating that if his father did not contest this adoption then it would be final. Good Luck!!

Answer 9

if the biological "father" signed all rights away then it should take no longer than 2 months. my husband had my son adopted w/in a month. it really depends on how fast your lawyer can get you into court. good luck!!!

Answer 10

We are doing the same thing but my husband is adopting my son on the grounds of abandonment.  In CA, if the biological father has had no contact and has not paid child support for a year you can file for adoption under abandonment.  We've been told that once all the paperwork is in, provided the court in our area isnt behind, it will take a couple months.  In your case, the biological father is signing over rights it may only take one court date.  I would contact the Family Courts in your county to find out for sure.  Good Luck!

Answer 11

I am currently going through a similar thing in the state of Mississippi. We could not find my sons father though so we have to run ads in the paper for 3 weeks summonings him to court. If we would have able to find him and him agree to terminating rights to my son then it would have taken as long as it takes to get a court date which here was about 30 days. You may also need to hire a Guardian AD Litem to represent what is the best interest of the child. They can do the Termination of Parental rights and the adoption at the same time. I believe there is still a "grace period" after the court order for him to change his mind. I think its like 90 days. But that may just be in my situation since we were unable to locate the natural father.  While you are doing the adoption if you are wanting to change the childs last name, you can include that in the process. Then the sate he was born in will issue a new birth certificate as if the child was born to the adopting parent. An attorney in your state can give you more specific laws concerning your state and personal situation. Good Luck.

Answer 12

If the other parent is dead, it takes about 4-5 months provided that you already have a certified copy of death certificate and proof that he is the legal father.  If he's alive, you'll have to get that from others.

Answer 13

I don't know how long it takes, sorry but i must add that its disheartening to hear that a father would willing give up rights 2 his son, is he a sane person? Children r an heritage from the Lord and they should be loved unconditionally and treasured 4 life, what is he thinking. Anyway its great that u have found a good man who is willing 2 adopt ur child and be a father 2 him.

Answer 14

Do you know what you can do for your son that is even more important than having your husband adopt him?

Stop putting down his bio father and calling him names.

Your son is part of this man, like it or not.  You chose to be with this man, like it or not.  At one time, you appreciated this man for something.  Your son needs to hear what that is.  Your son will quickly, if he has not already, pick up on the fact that HE is a part of his bio father, too, like it or not.  And what you say about this man is the same thing as saying it about your son.  He will take on some of who his father is, some by genetics and some by choice.  It is up to you how you help shape that.  

You do not have to be false, but just be neutral, or say nothing.  There are ways to frame negative characteristics in such a way where they do not harm or sting a child:

"Your biological father is just not able to take care of children."

"He is just stable enough in his life right now to make visits."

"He wants us to be a family with your step-father."

"He thinks it is better for your step-father to be your dad."

"He wants you to have what you need and knows your step dad can give that to you."

Help him reclaim some dignity about his birth, about his birthfather, and about himself.  He is part of this man.  The anger and resentment should be private, between you and your husband only.

I hoipe this gives you some things to think about.  It may make a huge difference to you son, for the rest of his life.

Answer 15

We just did our paperwork today! The lawyer says if the bio father gets the paperwork back to him within the next 2 weeks then my children adoption will happen in the middle of Aug.

This is in the state of FL.

I cant wait my kids are so excited!! :-)