Adoption Questions & Answers by State
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Adoption Questions & Answers
Q: Can my ex-husband have joint custody of my son even though he isn't the biological parent without adopting him?
Terrence H Thorgaard's answer
I'm assuming you were divorced in Florida. What do the Ohio courts have to do with school enrollment (in Ohio, I'm guessing)?
I'm assuming you were divorced in Florida. What do the Ohio courts have to do with school enrollment (in Ohio, I'm guessing)?
Q: How to adopt a now adult step child?
2 Answers
| Asked
in
Adoption, Family Law and Immigration Law
for
Pennsylvania
on
Answered on Jun 15, 2018
Answered on Jun 15, 2018
Cary B. Hall's answer
Your situation is not uncommon, and it's great that you both would take this formal action to solidify your relationship. Often your local court of common pleas (the big courthouse in your county seat) has forms that you can obtain and use as a guide. Contact the "Prothonotary" of your local "Orphans' Court" and ask them. You'll need to file paperwork and a filing fee, and then you'll need to appear in court at a hearing.
Question, however: is your biological father still alive? If...
Your situation is not uncommon, and it's great that you both would take this formal action to solidify your relationship. Often your local court of common pleas (the big courthouse in your county seat) has forms that you can obtain and use as a guide. Contact the "Prothonotary" of your local "Orphans' Court" and ask them. You'll need to file paperwork and a filing fee, and then you'll need to appear in court at a hearing.
Question, however: is your biological father still alive? If...
Q: BIO father abanded me & died. Funeral home says I needed to sign to release body. Am I liable/entitled to anything?
Ben F Meek III's answer
You need to contact an experienced probate lawyer in your father's state. If I understand your statement correctly, you were the man's biological son but another person adopted you when you were a child. In some states, an adopted child can inherit from both his adopted and biological parents. You would not be personally liable for your father's debts but they might have to be paid from his assets. An experienced probate lawyer in your father's state can answer these and other questions....
You need to contact an experienced probate lawyer in your father's state. If I understand your statement correctly, you were the man's biological son but another person adopted you when you were a child. In some states, an adopted child can inherit from both his adopted and biological parents. You would not be personally liable for your father's debts but they might have to be paid from his assets. An experienced probate lawyer in your father's state can answer these and other questions....
Q: How do i obtain guardianship of a minor child?
Ellen Cronin Badeaux's answer
You need to hire a family law attorney to file for custody. We don't have guardianship in Louisiana. Then you can get her in school and on medicaid.
You need to hire a family law attorney to file for custody. We don't have guardianship in Louisiana. Then you can get her in school and on medicaid.
Q: Can an adoption be reversed?
P. Justin Thrailkill's answer
You need an attorney NOW. It is possible it is too late to reverse course, but, if the judge is talking about adoption that means you have not made adequate progress towards your reunification plan and your kids continue to be dependent. Once the kids have been adopted, it is permanent and cannot be reversed. Take this seriously and get counsel NOW.
You need an attorney NOW. It is possible it is too late to reverse course, but, if the judge is talking about adoption that means you have not made adequate progress towards your reunification plan and your kids continue to be dependent. Once the kids have been adopted, it is permanent and cannot be reversed. Take this seriously and get counsel NOW.
Q: How to go about getting custody if my 15 year old brother
Mr. James Parrish Coleman's answer
You go to court and prove that the parents are specifically unfit to be parents to the child. THis is called a private custody petition. This has to be done in Circuit Court. YOu need a lawyer.
You go to court and prove that the parents are specifically unfit to be parents to the child. THis is called a private custody petition. This has to be done in Circuit Court. YOu need a lawyer.
Q: Where can I find forms for adopting a adult
Cary B. Hall's answer
Have you tried the Prothonotary's Office in the Court of Common Pleas for Allegheny County? They may even have some forms online for your use. Try the Orphans' Court there as well. Best of luck to you.
Have you tried the Prothonotary's Office in the Court of Common Pleas for Allegheny County? They may even have some forms online for your use. Try the Orphans' Court there as well. Best of luck to you.
Q: Where can I find forms for adopting a adult
Cary B. Hall's answer
Have you tried the Prothonotary's Office in the Court of Common Pleas for Allegheny County? They may even have some forms online for your use. Try the Orphans' Court there as well. Best of luck to you.
Have you tried the Prothonotary's Office in the Court of Common Pleas for Allegheny County? They may even have some forms online for your use. Try the Orphans' Court there as well. Best of luck to you.
Q: How do I move out at 16
1 Answer
| Asked
in
Family Law, Adoption, Child Custody and Child Support
for
Ohio
on
Answered on Jun 6, 2018
Answered on Jun 6, 2018
Joseph Jaap's answer
The family should retain a local family law attorney, review all the facts of the situation, and get advice on how to best go about seeking custody of you in the juvenile court.
The family should retain a local family law attorney, review all the facts of the situation, and get advice on how to best go about seeking custody of you in the juvenile court.
Q: Is there an international custody form I can fill out for someone to take custody of my dog in the case of an emergency?
2 Answers
| Asked
in
Adoption, Animal / Dog Law, International Law and Immigration Law
on
Answered on Jun 4, 2018
Answered on Jun 4, 2018
Richard Sternberg's answer
Your love for your canine may be such that you don't want to hear any of this, but, as a dog-lover myself and a lawyer, I think it is good news. In the U.S., a dog is property. Immigration law, adoption law, and custody law have nothing to do with the issues. The only problems I would foresee in an unauthorized person taking your dog are: 1) a claim of theft, which, for most dogs would be a misdemeanor; and 2) public safety issues about bringing a live animal across national boundaries. To...
Your love for your canine may be such that you don't want to hear any of this, but, as a dog-lover myself and a lawyer, I think it is good news. In the U.S., a dog is property. Immigration law, adoption law, and custody law have nothing to do with the issues. The only problems I would foresee in an unauthorized person taking your dog are: 1) a claim of theft, which, for most dogs would be a misdemeanor; and 2) public safety issues about bringing a live animal across national boundaries. To...
Q: Can someone sell/adopt for free a puppy of four weeks old?
Timothy Denison's answer
Unfortunately, yes. While four weeks is far too early to separate from the mother, there is no law that prohibits it.
Unfortunately, yes. While four weeks is far too early to separate from the mother, there is no law that prohibits it.
Q: Girlfriend's son born in Alabama now lives with me in Florida. Bio dad wants to sign away his rights. Can I adopt him?
Terrence H Thorgaard's answer
Yes, you have to be married first.
Florida Statute 63.042 provides in pertinent part that:
"(1) Any person, a minor or an adult, may be adopted.
(2) The following persons may adopt:
(a) A husband and wife jointly;
(b) An unmarried adult; or
(c) A married person without the other spouse joining as a petitioner, if … "
For an answer with respect to a possible Alabama adoption, you should ask this in the Alabama section (Justia...
Yes, you have to be married first.
Florida Statute 63.042 provides in pertinent part that:
"(1) Any person, a minor or an adult, may be adopted.
(2) The following persons may adopt:
(a) A husband and wife jointly;
(b) An unmarried adult; or
(c) A married person without the other spouse joining as a petitioner, if … "
For an answer with respect to a possible Alabama adoption, you should ask this in the Alabama section (Justia...
Q: Can joint custody negate child support or will someone else adopting the child stop it?
P. Justin Thrailkill's answer
Your boyfriend cannot adopt your child if you are not married. Your ex's support is not going to stop because he's not going to get joint custody.
Your boyfriend cannot adopt your child if you are not married. Your ex's support is not going to stop because he's not going to get joint custody.
Q: I want to marry my girlfriend & move out of state but she has two kids and joint custody with her ex. How do I do this?
1 Answer
| Asked
in
Adoption, Child Custody, Divorce and Family Law
for
Kentucky
on
Answered on May 28, 2018
Answered on May 28, 2018
Timothy Denison's answer
She doesn’t need full custody of the kids. Joint is sufficient. She should make a motion for permission to relocate with the children in the Court where she was divorced and where the file is. Judge will determine whether move is permissible under the facts of her case.
She doesn’t need full custody of the kids. Joint is sufficient. She should make a motion for permission to relocate with the children in the Court where she was divorced and where the file is. Judge will determine whether move is permissible under the facts of her case.
Q: Wanting coustody
Timothy Denison's answer
If you can get cousin and gf to sign an agreed order giving you custody, you can file a custody petition, agreed order and other necessary documents all at once and likely get it signed without ever having to go to court.
If you can get cousin and gf to sign an agreed order giving you custody, you can file a custody petition, agreed order and other necessary documents all at once and likely get it signed without ever having to go to court.
Q: My soon to be husband wants to file for 50/50 cosutdy of his kids. About how much would that cost
1 Answer
| Asked
in
Divorce, Family Law, Adoption and Child Custody
for
Pennsylvania
on
Answered on May 27, 2018
Answered on May 27, 2018
Cary B. Hall's answer
Unfortunately, it's not easy to even estimate the cost of a custody dispute without knowing anything about your fiance's particular case. But I will say this: it will depend largely on how hard the other side wants to (and is willing to) fight.
There will be a filing fee for either the custody complaint (if no case yet exists in court) or the petition to modify custody (if there is already an open case), of course. The largest expense, however, will be attorney's fees, and family law...
Unfortunately, it's not easy to even estimate the cost of a custody dispute without knowing anything about your fiance's particular case. But I will say this: it will depend largely on how hard the other side wants to (and is willing to) fight.
There will be a filing fee for either the custody complaint (if no case yet exists in court) or the petition to modify custody (if there is already an open case), of course. The largest expense, however, will be attorney's fees, and family law...
Q: My grandson is 6, his mother was never married to the biological father.
Homer P Jordan IV's answer
After the child has been legitimized, the biological has rights, even if the mother does not want him to see their son. The court will make rulings regarding child custody after reviewing the facts of the case. You may want to consult with an attorney who can help you plan the proper course of action. -Homer P. Jordan IV, Esq. 404-620-1558 HomerJordan.com
After the child has been legitimized, the biological has rights, even if the mother does not want him to see their son. The court will make rulings regarding child custody after reviewing the facts of the case. You may want to consult with an attorney who can help you plan the proper course of action. -Homer P. Jordan IV, Esq. 404-620-1558 HomerJordan.com
Q: My Fiance wants to give up rights to 4 of his 6 children but wants to adopt my 5 year old. Will he still be able to?
Kevin M Rogers' answer
That's a really good question. Adoption is not a misterial act by a judge. It requires a Petition for adoption and the Magistrate WILL examine the Petition, which includes all kinds of information and the question probably will come up at some point: why would you want to adopt someone else's children but refuse to support and love your own? Moreover, a natural parent is legally unable to voluntarily give up the support of his natural children unless there is a new man in the picture...
That's a really good question. Adoption is not a misterial act by a judge. It requires a Petition for adoption and the Magistrate WILL examine the Petition, which includes all kinds of information and the question probably will come up at some point: why would you want to adopt someone else's children but refuse to support and love your own? Moreover, a natural parent is legally unable to voluntarily give up the support of his natural children unless there is a new man in the picture...
Q: My husband wants to adopt my child. I don't know where bio dad is. He didn't sign BC or no paternity established.
Terrence H Thorgaard's answer
Yes, and if you don't find him there, take other measures to do all possible to attempt to give him notice.
Yes, and if you don't find him there, take other measures to do all possible to attempt to give him notice.
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