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Georgia Adoption Questions & Answers
0 Answers | Asked in Adoption for Georgia on
Q: Hi, i was adopted at 10 in 2009. Are there any financial assistance resources available to the adopted’ ?

I can only find resources for the adopted parents which is ironic because I was unaware that my adopted parents were compensated for my 2 siblings and I. If there are any assistant resources available to me I am more than interested to learn about them.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: Court granted my mother temporary guardianship in 2014. My mother passed in 2023 and the parent wants him back now

What's the process? Do I give him to her? What do I do?

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Jul 25, 2024

If you have no guardianship then the children will need to be returned or you could be charged with kidnapping. Guardianship did not transfer to you. You have no legal rights to those children.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption and Child Custody for Georgia on
Q: Hello im currently trying to figure out how to get my boyfriends name on our sons birth certificate.We’re not married.

My sons bio father does nothing for him,doesn’t see him anymore he also stays in another state and i doubt he’s willing to give up his parental rights even though i can prove he isn’t fit to be a parent.My boyfriend has been caring for my son and doing for him since he was 1 month old.We do... View More

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Jun 3, 2024

You aren't able to simply put your boyfriends name on your child's birth certificate because he helps to support your child. If your boyfriend was able to ever adopt your son, after marriage, then he would have legal rights. But no, you can't simply remove the biological father and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: Can I be legitimized through child protective services

Do I have to be legitimized through the court system

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
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.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption and Child Custody for Georgia on
Q: Is it possible to vacate a Termination of Parental Rights Order after the children have been adopted?

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

Ellaretha Coleman
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Ellaretha Coleman
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.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Adoption for Georgia on
Q: We adopted our granddaughter recently. Does the other grandparents have right to visitation if we are against it?

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.

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
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.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption for Georgia on
Q: What are the forms needed to adopt an adult in the State of Georgia?

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

T. Augustus Claus
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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

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Adoption for Georgia on
Q: I want to adopt my nephew in TN, I live in GA for his best interest he is 4. How do I go about doing this?

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.

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
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

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Child Custody, Domestic Violence and Education Law for Georgia on
Q: Can a CASA become a career GAL? (Be a paid GAL instead of volunteer)

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?

Joshua Schiffer
Joshua Schiffer
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...
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1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Family Law and Child Support for Georgia on
Q: How do I get the father rights taken? What are the main reasons a judge will take a fathers rights?

I have full custody. My divorce decree states that he must pay child support and supervised visitations

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
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

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Child Custody and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: My 16-year-old daughter wants to be adopted by her stepdad (my husband)

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

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
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.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: Can I write up my own Adult Adoption petition or does an attorney need to do it?

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

Regina Irene Edwards
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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.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Adoption for Georgia on
Q: How does my husband go about adopting my daughter?
Joseph E. Cheeley, III
Joseph E. Cheeley, III pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
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.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Domestic Violence for Georgia on
Q: what is code 19-7-42 mean when officers get called out to a residents house for a domestic dispute but its against a 19

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?

Joshua Schiffer
Joshua Schiffer
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...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Adoption for Georgia on
Q: Birth mom snuck and placed child

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

Zachary Taylor Beck
Zachary Taylor Beck
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.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Adoption for Georgia on
Q: What's rights do an adopted child have when inheriting property after the adopting parent passes away?
Candace Alynn Hill Duvernay
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Candace Alynn Hill Duvernay
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.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law, Personal Injury and Adoption for Georgia on
Q: My wife left and took my kids almost a year ago. I don't know where they are or a contact number for her. What do I do?
Regina Irene Edwards
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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.

2 Answers | Asked in Adoption, Child Custody and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: My wife gained physical/legal custody of her children at final divorce hearing with her ex, can I adopt her kids?

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

Regina Irene Edwards
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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.

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3 Answers | Asked in Traffic Tickets, Admiralty / Maritime, Adoption and Cannabis & Marijuana Law for Georgia on
Q: Do I need a high powered attorney?

I definitely need a high powered attorney

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
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

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1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: Does same sex couples have to be married to sign child birth certificate?
Judith Delus Montgomery
Judith Delus Montgomery
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...
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