Your current state is Virginia
Legal guardian to two girls (15yo and 13yo) for the past three years. They came from abuse and neglect. Bio mom is now one year sober. 15yo wants to reconnect with bio mom. 13yo wants nothing to do with bio mom and still wants us to adopt her. Can we adopt 13yo without parental consent?
answered on Sep 23, 2023
Maybe, was this guardian appointed by the court as part of a permanent custody determination in the DN case? If so then yes. If not then the prospective adoptive parents may need to make additional showings. Whether parental consent is required can also depend on the specific facts and details... View More 
My son was adopted by his mother’s second husband changing his name and birth certificate.
My son has grown and his adoptive father has passed away. Son would like to have his birth certificate changed to have my name as his father. He has already changed his name back to what it was... View More
answered on Sep 18, 2023
Given these facts, I think any probate attorney may need to do some research to be truly confident as to the process needed to achieve the desired outcome. If changing the words on the certificate is truly the only desired outcome, then I'd start with the health department that issued the... View More
We have had custody of a family member since she was 4 months old. (Currently 4 years old) she was removed from her mom (dad unknown) right after birth due to the baby testing positive for meth. Mom has a long standing drug history and a lengthy criminal history associated. A couple months after... View More
answered on Sep 16, 2023
Well, first and foremost being in a courtroom battle is one of the most stressful times in anyone's life. Whether your counsel is appointed or retained you want and I would say need to feel comfortable with your representation. If you are not happy and don't feel comfortable it is wise... View More
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answered on Sep 15, 2023
In Tennessee, whether a birth mother can place a child up for adoption without the father's consent depends on various factors. If the father's name is on the birth certificate and he has acknowledged paternity, his consent is typically required for the adoption. However, exceptions... View More
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answered on Sep 13, 2023
In Texas, once a child has been adopted, the original birth certificate is typically sealed, and a new birth certificate is issued with the adoptive parents' names. This new birth certificate reflects the adoptive parents as the legal parents of the child.
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answered on Sep 12, 2023
First, you'll need to establish legal standing, demonstrating your significant and beneficial relationship with your brother. Then, you'll file a custody petition in Oregon, his primary place of residence, and notify all relevant parties, including his parents or legal guardians. Collect... View More
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answered on Sep 5, 2023
In Arizona, as in many other states, Child Protective Services (CPS) can become involved in cases where they have concerns about the safety and well-being of a child. When a newborn is exposed to substances, including prescribed medications like methadone, during pregnancy or at birth, CPS may... View More
I had them sealed for life I was told .I went for 6 months approximately 1973 to 74. For birthing. unknown gender at time 1973, His bday March 2nd 1974. A judge ordered from Oklahoma City to Tulsa Okla for sealed document. They live in Miami Oklahoma now. There's no physical reasons he... View More
answered on Sep 5, 2023
Probably not. The laws pertaining to sealed birth records has changed a lot since the 1970s. Adoptees frequently can access their own original birth records when they become adults, even though such records are “sealed” from the public.
My Goddaughter lives in mexico with her parents, but they had financial problems due to Covid-19 and I have been providing everything she needs during the past few years. Her parents are willing to relenquish her custody to me, but I want to know if I could leagly adopt her and bring her to the US.
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answered on Aug 27, 2023
Adopting a child from another country involves both the laws of that country and U.S. federal immigration laws. If her parents willingly relinquish custody, you could initiate the international adoption process, which is governed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once the... View More
My mother has already had a similar case on her. And my brother and sister in law said she tried to get them to sign my name.
answered on Aug 27, 2023
You’ll have to petition the court in which the adoption was granted to open it up so you can see the records.
Will it be done automatically as part of the adoption or do I have to fill out anything?
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answered on Aug 25, 2023
When you adopt a child born in New York but you live in Virginia, the adoption birth certificate is typically issued by the state of New York. However, the process can vary depending on the adoption type and the specific circumstances. Generally, as part of the adoption process, the court will... View More
We do not have money to pay for a lawyer we live paycheck to paycheck. we are trying to figure out how to do this.
answered on Aug 25, 2023
You could do a step-parent adoption. There are standard SCAO forms to help with this, but there would be costs and fees associated.
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.
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.
Long story short my cousin needs out of the situation she’s in. All of my family is either on drugs, alcoholics or men in and out of the house. She needs a safe secure space so she doesn’t end up like them. Everyone seems to be on board because they agree she needs a better life. How would I go... View More
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answered on Aug 24, 2023
Before anything could be filed in Texas the child would have to be her for a minimum of 6 months. If everyone is in agreement, I would suggest start with getting a power of attorney for parental rights to get her to Texas. With the POA you could take care of getting her in school and medical, but... View More
Long story short my cousin needs out of the situation she’s in. All of my family is either on drugs, alcoholics or men in and out of the house. She needs a safe secure space so she doesn’t end up like them. Everyone seems to be on board because they agree she needs a better life. How would I go... View More
answered on Sep 5, 2023
The child would need to live with you for 6 months in Texas before you can adopt her in Texas. The first step is to get her living with you. The parents would need to sign a power of attorney granting you guardianship over here in order for her to live with you and for you to be able to enroll her... View More
If a biological parent has supervised visits 1 Saturday a month for 2 hours, 24 hours total in a year. They do not have any other contact with the child. Would that qualify as de minimus contact
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answered on Aug 21, 2023
In Ohio, pursuing the adoption of a stepchild without the consent of the biological parent can be legally complex. The ability to proceed without consent usually hinges on specific circumstances such as the termination of the biological parent's rights. The term "de minimis contact"... View More
My girl was a surrogate for her sister and husband by artificial insemunation.
Years later was informed it was my child. They all pretended it was a surrogate birth however it was not.
I was purposely lied to because girlfriend did not want to raise another baby.
It's... View More
answered on Aug 20, 2023
No. You do not have any paternal rights. You. Need to move fast and file a fraud lawsuit against st everyone invoked. Your time starts to fun on the day after you discovered they had defrauded you.
2/2… talked in almost 2 years since the day he was born. My now fiance, soon to be husband wants to know how to go about becoming his legal parent. How should we proceed after marriage?
answered on Aug 9, 2023
After marriage you and your new husband can file a petition for adoption of the child. Do NOT try this on your own -- there are too many opportunities to do it incorrectly and the stakes are too high! Hire an attorney who does adoptions and let him or her make sure all the details are handled... View More
I was age 11 to 17 when I the system.
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answered on Aug 8, 2023
To obtain your foster care records from your time in the system in New Jersey, follow these steps:
1. **Contact the Agency:** Get in touch with the agency responsible for your foster care placement, such as the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) or a private agency.... View More
My husband and I are going to be starting the adoption process, we have had our appointment for a few weeks now. However, bio father just filed a petition to the courts for shared parenting/paternity. Paternity was never established. Bio father has not supported our child for 1 year and 1 month... View More
answered on Aug 8, 2023
You will in all likelihood prevail on your stepparent adoption. In Ohio, when a biological parent has failed, without reasonable justification, to provide support for over a year to a minor child, his consent is not necessary to proceed with the stepparent adoption.
There will be two... View More
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