What do you about stepparent adoption?

Question

We want to do an stepparent adoption, but we don't know if is a good idea to those type of services where you represent yourself at the court, or pay like 5000 dls. to get an attorney? as far as we know both take the same period of time to get done, but of course we are thinking about taking the help service without an attorney, and obviously we don't want to get into scam. HELP PLEASE!!!

Answer 1

We are in the process of my husband adopting my children. We hired a Family Law lawyer. It cost us right at 2000 this is for everything!

We went last month and did all the paper work and he said by the middle or end of this month that we can go to court and have them adopted. The lawyer says judges loves to see a family adopting another ones child cause in court a judge never sees anything good happening in there. So this is good outcome in a family. They have people there to take pics of them getting adopted.

Best of luck to you!!

Answer 2

Will the birthfather sign voluntarily?  Will you have to look for him?  Will you have to hire a private detective to search for him?

His rights have to be terminated first.  You cannot do that on your own to my knowledge, in any state.  You have to hire an attorney to represent him, as well.  Once his rights are terminated, then you can proceed with the adoption.

Depending on the state where you live, you may also have to get an adoption homestudy.

At the very least, call and talk to an attorney or paralegal who works for one about the procedures, and ask if this is something you can do on your own.

I wouldn't risk it, personally.

Answer 3

I did it all myself, no problem.  It still cost about $400 in filing fees.  Most of the forms are on-line these days, and you just fill in the blanks.

Answer 4

we are going through a step parent adoption right now, my ex husband consented to the adoption so we went to the clerk of court got all the adoption papers, me, my husband and my ex husband had to fill them out in front of a notary, paid the notary fees and too the papers back to the court house. it only cost us $100 ($50 per child) now all we are waiting on is the home study that is going to cost $200 and then the court date....good luck

Answer 5

When my husband and I consulted an attorney about this issue we were told about 1500 per child. Depending on how much is involved. If the father will sign the papers to relinquish you can do it your self, but if you think he will fight it you would be better off hiring the attorney. In my county in Oregon, the papers have to come from an attorney, so I would set up the initial consultation and find out what services he will provide or if you can get the papers your self.

Answer 6

Consult a local family law atty.  I don't think it should cost $5000 in attorney's fees, it's just some simple paperwork & a Court appearance or two.  It's almost always free to just consult an atty.