Get free answers to your legal questions from lawyers in your area.
Do you have to go through an adoption agentcy or does she just sign over custody?
answered on Feb 20, 2024
As to your question in general, it comes down to what you want to do.
1. Temporary custody: This allows you to have custody of the child for a limited period, typically up to 6 months. However, it can be revoked at any time by the birth parents. Drafting this document requires meeting... View More 
I have had full guardianship of my niece since February 2024 when she was 3 months old. Her mother was jailed for drugs and served a short sentence, completing drug court by June 2024. Since then, she has only seen her child once, had one FaceTime call, and generally inquires about her well-being... View More
answered on May 19, 2025
Posting your question on the internet with detailed facts and expecting a legal analysis response, again all over the public internet, is not advisable. I suggest that you contact an adoption lawyer to get answers to your questions in private.
answered on Mar 19, 2024
In many jurisdictions, the term "godparent" does not have a legal significance in the same way it does in religious or cultural contexts. Unlike legal guardians or custodians, godparents typically do not have a legally binding relationship with a child under state law. This is my... View More
I was placed in foster care in September 1983, after my biological father xxx, along with his sister Deborah Zumwalt and his sister in law xx lied to a corrupt young CPS investigator in Iowa, accusing my biological mother of drunkenness, illicit drug use etc., even though my biological father has a... View More
answered on Dec 28, 2023
The short answer is, "Maybe". There are factors that need to be addressed and then it is all up to a judge.
Do I have to contact him in order to go through with the adoption?
answered on Jul 8, 2022
Although your question may seem to be an easy one, there are many other questions that need to be asked in order to assess whether or not notice is necessary. If you would like to give us a call, we can certainly talk about the specific details of the case and answer your question. If you are not... View More
My sister recently found out she is pregnant and and feels as though she wouldn't be able to handle anymore children. She already has kids but doesn't want anymore. She has asked me and my husband to adopt. My sister is unmarried and says the father doesn't want the baby either.... View More
answered on Feb 28, 2022
Hello that is exciting news for you and your spouse, I am sure. If you are asking if you can file the adoption case online with the court instead of going in-person to the court clerk's office, then I am not aware of a pro se party (i.e. someone who is not represented by an attorney) being... View More
I am a non-US citizen. My partner is an American biological father. His daughter is 6. Can I adopt his daughter after marrying him?
answered on Sep 21, 2021
Great question. We have some answers. Give us a call 801-546-3874 and ask to speak with Attorney Jason Barnes.
My son and I are both members of a federally recognized tribe. We do not live on the reservation. I assume ICWA will apply, but as neither biological father or step father are Native American, I am sure my tribe would consent. Bio father has not contacted my son or paid child support in over 5... View More
answered on Jul 8, 2021
Hello. ICWA is applicable and very complicated when it comes to adoption cases, and the forms on the court's website are for basic adoptions. Honestly, I am surprised that the court's website has adoption forms at all, as there are many varieties of adoption cases and overall they are... View More
Background. We met a couple back in 2012 and the woman was about 6 months pregnant. The couple was not ready to start a family. They were married (since divorced). Anyway they asked us to adopt the unborn child. We were advised by Hill Afb legal to get a written statement from the couple giving up... View More
answered on Oct 14, 2019
You are welcome to contact our office and we can discuss this further. 801-546-3874.
The assault was in in Kansas, to my knowledge the father is in Montana and I live in alberta. I would like to adobt out to my sister in Utah.
answered on Apr 2, 2019
What you are asking is highly complex and the correct answer is fact dependent. Please have your sister contact our office so we can discuss the same. Phone #801-546-3874.
answered on Jul 5, 2018
The quick answer is no, but if you are talking about foster care adoptions, the DCFS will give preference to those who are willing to do so, for obvious reasons. If you would like to further discuss, please call our office at 801-546-3874.
Mother doesn't know father of child. Married my now husband when child was very young and he raised child as his own. They divorced when she was about 5 but he continues to raise her by paying non-mandated child support and has custody every weekend. None of this is legally mandated as they... View More
answered on Mar 23, 2018
Yes, there is a chance that he could adopt her. Give us a call so we can discuss this in detail and more fully determine the answer to your question.
PH: 801-546-3874
When the young man first came into my life, his mother had been caring for him. Soon after, the mother signed her parental rights over to the father. The father lives here in Utah, and has only seen him four or fives times in twelve years with no support. The mother now lives in New Mexico. She has... View More
answered on Feb 26, 2018
Great questions, but in order to answer your questions, there are a lot of personal questions I need to ask you, which I am sure you don't want out in the open. Please call our office at 801-546-3874 and ask for myself, Jason Barnes.
My boyfriend and I are thinking about getting married. He wants to adopt my child, who's 4. I'm not sure of who his biological father is. I registered him as a single mother. Only me is on the birth certificate. How soon after we get married can we start the process and what is the process for that?
answered on Aug 8, 2017
To answer your first question, you can start the adoption process now. However, please understand that 78B-6-136.5 states:
(2)(a) If the prospective adoptive parent is the spouse of the pre-existing parent, a final decree of adoption may not be entered until the child has lived in the home... View More
They filled out the adoption papers and had everything signed when they left Vietnam but never officially re-adopted the kids. Now that they are 18 and wanting to apply for college they show up as "non-citizens" even though they both have birth certificates and social security numbers.
answered on Jul 27, 2017
There are a lot of questions be asked, so if you want to call our office, we can direct you.
I am a lawful permanent resident and my son is not my husband's biological son, I would like for my husband to adopt my son here in the US, I have the legal custody of my son is that possible, without the biological father consent ?
answered on Jun 12, 2017
Your question, although seemingly simple, is very complicated and requires a lot more facts and analysis. If you would like, I would be happy to speak with you by phone if you would like to call my assistant and schedule up a phone consultation, or you can come and meet with me. The consult... View More
I have 3 kids from 2 different father's. My teenage daughters are from a dad who doesn't pay child support and lives in Kansas. He has not had any communication with them for 5 years since he got remarried. And my son who is 8, his father is incarcerated. Does my situation require a... View More
answered on Dec 14, 2016
You can represent yourself in any court matter, the question is, do you know what you are doing? Adoption law is very complex, and this will be especially true for the facts you have provided. We offer free consultations and I suggest that you contact our office to at least get the details as... View More
We both consent to the adoption, but there are two issues that could create challenges:
1. Kevin's mother and I are divorced.
2. Kevin and I live in separate states. He lives in Utah, I live in Florida.
My questions:
1. Do I need consent from birth parents?... View More
answered on Dec 14, 2016
Actually, the problem you have here in Utah, at the present moment (the buzz on the streets right now is that this might be changed next year) is that where you and his mother are divorced, when you adopt Kevin it will terminate his mother legal relationship with him. Here is the statute (see #1... View More
The child will most likely have special needs (because of his mother's drug addiction) as well. What steps do we need to take before we fly to Hawaii to pick up the baby? While we are there, we are only able to stay for about a week. What action needs to take place while we are in Hawaii?
answered on May 19, 2016
I realize that this has already happened, but for future viewers, you most likely have to comply with the ICPC laws and obtain ICPC approval from both states' compact administrators. Private direct placement adoptions are very complex and require an attorney who knows what he/she is doing in... View More
Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
