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Louisiana Adoption Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Family Law for Louisiana on
Q: What are our next steps for adoption of my nephew who we have had sole custody of for a little over a year?

My husband and I have had sole custody of my nephew for a little over a year after my sister’s death. There was no father listed on the birth certificate or in his life, but attempts were made by the courts to locate the supposed father at the time custody was awarded. He never came forward and... View More

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Aug 12, 2024

Here's my suggestion---it sounds like you do not have an attorney and you suggest that cost may be a fact-----I do not know if you previously consulted with an attorney, however my recommendation is that you set up an appointment with an adoption attorney for the purpose of a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption and Child Custody for Louisiana on
Q: Once DCFS changes the goal from reunification to adoption can you do anything to fight it? Now they moved my courtdate

I was only text messaged not subpoenad

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Jul 17, 2024

If you are the parent and want your child (children) then I recommend that you immediately consult with an experience lawyer in this area and hire one to represent you and to work towards your best interests. Good luck.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption and Child Custody for Louisiana on
Q: Do you have to contact birth father if they weren't married to the birth mother and didn't go to court for rights?

My daughters birth father and I weren't married and didn't take me to court for rights to our daughter. Now my fiance and I are looking into adoption, the birth father hasn't made contact in over a year and hasn't seen the child in over a year. So I'm just wondering what do... View More

Douglas Lee Bryan
Douglas Lee Bryan
answered on Nov 19, 2023

The birth father may have to be placed on notice of the intent to adopt; however, his consent may not be required if he failed to communicate or attempt to communicate with the child without just cause for over 6 months. Your fiance would likely need to marry you, however, to be considered for an... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption for Louisiana on
Q: I am wanting to know what forms I need to do an adult adoption with my 27 year old daughter.
Douglas Lee Bryan
Douglas Lee Bryan
answered on Jun 29, 2023

Adult adoptions are usually inexpensive and can be done quickly. An attorney who handles adoptions can explain the process and cost.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption for Louisiana on
Q: Does the son have rights to their biological mother even though he was given up for adoption?

Woman passed away in Louisiana. She is divorced, gave her son up for adoption in Georgia, parents are deceased, and has two surviving siblings that are handling her cremation arrangements. Although she gave her son up for adoption, I'm told the adopted son still has rights and will have to... View More

Douglas Lee Bryan
Douglas Lee Bryan
answered on Oct 4, 2022

A child that was surrendered for adoption still has the right to inherit from his/her parent in Louisiana, even though the parent's parental rights were terminated. I've never heard of a crematorium requiring that a child surrendered for adoption sign the paperwork, however.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption and Child Custody for Louisiana on
Q: Is it hard and expensive to change a baby’s full name after 9 months?

We are working on getting guardianship/ full custody of my nephew and would like to change his name but not sure how long it takes or how much it is.

Ellen Cronin Badeaux
Ellen Cronin Badeaux
answered on May 16, 2022

You can't change his name unless you adopt and terminate the parents' rights.

2 Answers | Asked in Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Louisiana on
Q: How do I go by obtaining legal guardianship of my 8 month old nephew who has been living with me since he was 2 weeks?

My nephews mom wanted an abortion but was unable to get one because she had just gotten one so she asked my husband and I to take the baby. We did and now we would like to get guardianship of the baby because mom is now refusing to babysit the child or help. She receives benefits and childcare for... View More

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on May 10, 2022

You need to contact a lawyer in your area to discuss your options and get the ball rolling. You should not do this yourself. In speaking to the attorney(s) you consult, you ask what are your options as well as what is your understanding as to the position each parent takes as to custody and/or... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption and Child Custody for Louisiana on
Q: Mygirl has had her nonbiological son since 3months old he's over 3yrs now the biological mom came with cops and took
Ellen Cronin Badeaux
Ellen Cronin Badeaux
answered on May 2, 2022

She needs to hire a custody or adoption lawyer AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Child Custody and Family Law for Louisiana on
Q: My little brother is currently in my elderly, disabled Grandmas custody. She wants me to take him. Will it be difficult?

My birth mother passed away last year leaving behind my little brother. He was left in the care of our grandmother who is old and sick. She called me up and asked if my husband and I would be willing to take him. I’m happy to take him but there is a problem that might affect the court allowing... View More

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on May 3, 2022

Will it be difficult? It may not be, however more information is needed on this, including the involvement of your little brother's father who usually would have a say in custody decisions. That said, I highly recommend that you (and your grandmother) seek a consultation with a... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Adoption and Child Support for Louisiana on
Q: If biological father owes arrears and my husband adopts my child does biological father still owe the arrears?
Douglas Lee Bryan
Douglas Lee Bryan
answered on Apr 6, 2022

Yes, he will still owe the arrears unless you agree to waive them.

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3 Answers | Asked in Adoption for Louisiana on
Q: My daughters father is unknown and she has no father listed on her birth certificate. Can she be adopted by my partner?

My daughters father is unknown and not listed on her birth certificate. My friend who we thought was her father isn’t, he wants to adopt her. Can he do that with my consent alone or do we need to do something else?

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Mar 17, 2022

You need to do something else. On things as important as this--being a legal parent---I recommend that you consult and hire an adoption lawyer to do this because you do not want to get in a situation at some point in time in the future where you find something was not done correctly. Use the Find... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Adoption for Louisiana on
Q: I want my step dad to adopt me, what do i have to do
Ellen Cronin Badeaux
Ellen Cronin Badeaux
answered on Mar 5, 2022

Your step dad has to hire an adoption lawyer to file for intrafamily adoption

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption for Louisiana on
Q: In the state of Louisiana does the Biological father need the relinguish rights paper notarized. Diffrent states.

Bio father is in a different state that child

Ellen Cronin Badeaux
Ellen Cronin Badeaux
answered on Mar 2, 2022

Biological father can not relinquish rights in LA unless there is an adoptive father.

2 Answers | Asked in Adoption for Louisiana on
Q: My son is 22 and wants his step father to adopt hime what is the process and price
Douglas Lee Bryan
Douglas Lee Bryan
answered on Feb 16, 2022

This would be considered an adult adoption, and the process isn't nearly as complicated or lengthy as other adoptions, and generally the attorney fees for handling these are generally more affordable but vary from attorney to attorney. I would recommend that you contact an attorney, such as... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Divorce and Family Law for Louisiana on
Q: Can a married couple still adopt together if they file divorce during adoption proceedings?

My husband and I are currently in the process of adopting, which has caused a lot of strain on our marriage. We are considering divorce, and both very much love this child and still want to adopt and have shared custody. How would it affect our adoption proceedings if we were to file divorce before... View More

Ellen Cronin Badeaux
Ellen Cronin Badeaux
answered on Feb 17, 2022

Don't divorce until the adoption is final.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption and Child Custody for Louisiana on
Q: My sons (bio father) is not on the birth certificate. I was raped at a party and never told him. Husband wants to adopt

My husband has been in his life since he was 6 months old. My son only knows him as his dad and I don’t know if this would be adoption or a VAOP. My son is now 2 almost 3 and we want his name from his birth name (my pre married name) to our name.

Ellen Cronin Badeaux
Ellen Cronin Badeaux
answered on Jan 23, 2022

Hire an adoption lawyer.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Child Custody and Family Law for Louisiana on
Q: Can someone adopt a child without the biological mothers consent
Ellen Cronin Badeaux
Ellen Cronin Badeaux
answered on Jan 13, 2022

Yes if her rights are terminated. You need an adoption lawyer.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption for Louisiana on
Q: Our granddaughter 17 is living with us. Her father is deceased and our daughter gave up rights. What do we do to adopt.

We are considering doing this so she can have better medical insurance. Now she is on medicaid. Also she gets social security benefits from her deceased father. Would that stop?

Ellen Cronin Badeaux
Ellen Cronin Badeaux
answered on Dec 26, 2021

No social security does not atop but you need to notify social security in writing and hire an adoption lawyer.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption for Louisiana on
Q: Can I adopt an adult whom I consider my child who is not kin to me
Ellen Cronin Badeaux
Ellen Cronin Badeaux
answered on Dec 20, 2021

Yes contact an adoption attorney to do an adult adoption.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Adoption for Louisiana on
Q: Is a notarized intent to adopt form enough to bring the baby home from the hospital before starting the process?
Ellen Cronin Badeaux
Ellen Cronin Badeaux
answered on Dec 13, 2021

You need an attorney to prepare a document that fulfills legal requirements to take someone else's child home.

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