Q: Petition for an adult adoption in Alabama? Child will be 18 and step parent would like to adopt and change last name.
Will be moving to Decatur, AL in December. Child will have just turned 18. Step dad (for 16 years) would like to adopt. Is this a possibly in AL? Any limitations? Thank you.
A: A person is a minor until age 19 in Alabama. So it would not be an adult adoption. This sounds like it would be a familial adoption and as long as you and the minor have been living in the same house for 12 months, then you could file for adoption. You would need consent from both biological parents, or file to terminate the rights of whichever parent did not give consent. Adoption is largely a creature of statute. You are looking at 2-3+ court appearances to accomplish all this. I would contact a family law attorney in your area to help guide you through the long process. Best of luck!
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