We already had sole custody of our granddaughter. Do the other grandparents have standing to file for visitation? My understanding is if parents are together with the child grand parents can't ask.
answered on Aug 25, 2023
Grandparents can always petition the court for visitation. Whether they get it or not will depend on what the court thinks is in the best interest of the minor child. But certainly they can file for visitation and have the adoptive parents served.
It has been brought to my attention that my 23 year old step-daughter has expressed her desire to be legally adopted by me. I understand that she has no desire to have a relationship with her biological father and that she is of sound mind. I would like to confirm that she has not been in the... View More 
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answered on Jul 5, 2023
To adopt an adult in Georgia, you would need to prepare a Petition for Adult Adoption, gather consent forms from the adult being adopted and any other necessary parties, undergo required background checks, file the petition and supporting documents with the appropriate court, and attend a court... View More
My nephew's mom is my younger sister has been in trouble with the law, currently on an ankle monitor and has accepted a PPP loan for a business that she never had. She is not making the best decisions for herself nor my nephew and I want to adopt him until her circumstances improve.
answered on Apr 26, 2023
You should schedule a consultation and speak directly with an attorney to discuss this case. Because the advice given and the steps on how to move forward will depend on whether the mother consents to this change or not. This sounds like guardianship and not adoption. But even in a guardianship... View More
Research seems to show volunteers can be GALS as a CASA but to be paid you must be a licensed mental health professional or lawyer. Are there other pathways to being a GAL?
answered on Feb 5, 2023
From a webpage I often rely on:
Only those individuals who have received training administered or approved by the Office of the Child Advocate may serve as a GAL in a proceeding concerning the custody or welfare of a child. O.C.G.A. 15-11-9(b). A GAL shall receive such training as provided... View More
My 16-year-old daughter wants to be adopted by her stepdad (my husband). Her birth father has not paid child support since early 2020, has not seen her since mid-2020 (June or July) and has not contacted her since end of 2020 (December). I have attempted to contact him with no luck in getting... View More
answered on Jan 30, 2023
You can contact the father to see if he will sign paperwork to consent to the adoption. You can also file to terminate his parental rights so the child can be adopted. I would seek an attorney who can assist you, as there are some who dedicate a part of their practice to the field of adoption.
Do I have to be legitimized through the court system
answered on Dec 9, 2023
If you are the father DFCS will not give you custody even temporarily until you legitimize. Therefore, yes, the juvenile court will allow you to legitimize the child and sign an order, should they decide too, so that you can be awarded custody.
Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) occurred in 2021 and was involuntary. It is my understanding that in GA, a TPR can be vacated under certain circumstances, and the time limit is 3 years from the date of the TPR. Is this right? If so, does it still apply to my case if my kids have already been... View More
answered on Sep 5, 2023
Unfortunately, the time to appeal your termination of parental rights order would have needed to have been filed within 30 days from the date of the order.
I have full custody. My divorce decree states that he must pay child support and supervised visitations
answered on Jan 30, 2023
There is not enough information here for me to respond as to whether the father's parental rights can be terminated. You could file for child abandonment, based on what you have written, if he has not paid child support or seen the child. But I'm not sure if what you have written would... View More
What I found was that the petition needs to include:
name of the adopted adult
name of the adoptees
address of both parties
relevant information (i.e., social security numbers, years of age, etc.)
the adult’s written consent to be adopted
So would... View More
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answered on Oct 17, 2022
As with any court document, getting an attorney is best. A consent adult adoption would be relatively inexpensive and you can ensure it would be done correctly.
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answered on Sep 25, 2022
I'm assuming your husband is your daughter's step-father. The biological and legal father's parental rights must be terminated as part of an adoption. These are very complicated matters that require representation by an attorney.
year kid that isnt even your kid but you wasnt threatening him/her or putting your hands on anyone but yet you was arrested supposedly for a probation violation?
answered on Sep 9, 2022
Pretty sure that is some sort of local code, as the OCGA for that number is a venue issue. Without more info it is hard to say.
When officers are dispatched to a DV there are a lot of issues in play, and their primary goals are going to be securing the safety of everyone followed by... View More
Hello I’m in Georgia and found out my child’s mother placed our child for adoption. I havent did dna or anything yet but I want to and apparently baby is already in aps state. Who do I contact? She lied on her paperwork to not name me. Her friend told me. It’s been 20 days
answered on Jul 26, 2022
Based on the facts above, you likely need to file a petition to legitimize the child so that you will have custodial rights. If you successfully legitimize the child, you will be able to contest adoption and custody of the child.
answered on Apr 12, 2022
If a child is legally adopted in Georgia, he or she will have rights to inherit from their parents the same as any child who is the biological child.
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answered on Jan 29, 2022
You can hire a private investigator to find her. If your children are in school, they are likely enrolled in school somewhere.
The father has been incarcerated before and found in contempt of court, doesn’t pay child support etc. We were recently married, currently live in TX but court hearing was in Georgia, she wants me to adopt but the biological father (her ex husband) will likely not want me to be able to adopt.... View More
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answered on Jan 12, 2022
You can file a contested adoption. You need to speak with an experienced adoption attorney who can handle this.
I definitely need a high powered attorney
answered on Dec 24, 2021
It's difficult to answer the question based on the information in the post - Admiralty/Maritime is included as a category, and it would be good to have an attorney with insight into maritime law if the matter involves vessels or activities on navigable waters. But there are other categories as... View More
answered on Dec 23, 2021
The Supreme Court held that a state may not deny married same-sex parents the same right as opposite-sex parents to be listed on child’s birth certificate, see Pavan v. Smith, 2017, 137 S.Ct. 2075, 198 L.Ed.2d 636.
We will definitely need more information on your matter.
Family... View More
My hubby showed for the TPR hearing, I did Not. Apparently, our rights WERE terminated. He didn't sign any paperwork, and, as I stated, I did not even go. Can our babies be adopted out without even our Knowledge? Also, can we adopt our own kids?!
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answered on Oct 28, 2021
If your rights were terminated, the children can be adopted with no notice to you.
15,14,6,5 years old. If my parents pass before my youngest is 18 can I adopt them or can my parents make me guardian in their will?!?
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answered on Sep 9, 2021
Your parents cannot will children to anyone. If they pass away, you can apply for adoption.
I’m a 20 yr old adult looking to sue my biological family for manipulating and controlling my adoptive mother along with the emotional trauma they have caused. It’s gotten to the point where her marriage is in danger and she often chooses my biological family over us. They’ve become so... View More
answered on Aug 6, 2021
There is a lot to unpack in this question. First, you are not able to bring a lawsuit on behalf of another unless they are a minor over which you have custody, or they are incompetent to bring a suit on their own for some other reason and you are the guardian, custodian, or have a power of attorney... View More
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