Q: Can I legally adopt my 18yearold stepdaughter who's still in high school w/o notifying the birth mother first?
Even though my stepdaughter is 18 but still in high school, do I have to send a copy of my petition to the birth mother? She hasn't talked to or seen the birth mother in 4 years and wants me to adopt her before she gradutes. Can I do that w/o notifying the birth mother? I'm afraid that she might stop the adoption if I notifying her beforehand.
A:
Adult adoptions (for people over 18 years old) are very simple in Colorado and do not require notification or consent from the birth parents. There should not be a trial or appearance in court.
A legal adult adoption does NOT sever the legal bonds to the birth parents (unless their rights were terminated) or change birth certificates, etc. What it does do is cause the adoptee to functionally have 2 fathers, 2 mothers or 2 of both. A legal adoption does create a legal connection between the adoptee and the adoptor just like a blood relative (e.g. inheritance rights, powers of attorney for healthcare decisions, etc.).
Here is a link to the CO Courts webpage: http://www.intotolegal.com/upcoming%20Events/Forms.html . Follow the link to "Colorado Judicial Branch", then select "Adoption", then "Adult Adoption". The forms are self-explanatory, but it is highly recommended that both parties go to the courthouse to file the JDF 528, JDF529, and JDF530 (if both parties are present, you can skip a step and additional cost of a process server).
You probably do not need to contact a lawyer, unless you have specific concerns or problems develop (rare occurrences for the overwhelming majority of adult adoptions).
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