Get free answers to your Adoption legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I adopted my niece along with my husband in Florida, and we have a final judgment showing her new name. She was born in Puerto Rico, and despite having a certified copy of the adoption judgment, we've been unable to reach the vital records office there to understand how to update her birth... View More 
answered on May 20, 2025
Contact a lawyer who is a member of the P.R. Bar, who practices family law. Other than lawyers in P.R. itself, you likely can find some Fla. lawyers who are members of the P.R. Bar by contacting the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service, which you can find at Floridabar.org.
I have full legal and full physical custody of my children, and their birth father has supervised visitation rights two hours once a month, per a court order. However, he has not used these visits since 2022 and only saw the children once that year. He has expressed objections to someone else... View More
answered on Mar 31, 2025
The step parent adoption you are referencing requires the consent of both legal/biological parents, however the court can waive that requirement where it is alleged and proven that the non-consenting parent has abandoned the children, as that term is defined under Florida statues.
The... View More
I was under the understanding I would be able to call, write, minimal visits when I got sober. That was back in 2011-2012. 2014 I got sober and have reached out multiple times through messages and other family members. I have 2 other children now that want to know their sister. Do I have any leg to... View More
answered on Sep 25, 2024
Review and check for any explicit terms in the adoption agreement regarding your rights to contact. If you don’t have a copy of this agreement, obtaining one would be crucial. If possible, consider proposing mediation to your aunt. A third-party mediator can help facilitate a discussion and... View More
Does an employee of DCF or it's CBC entity have authority to do the performance of CPI investigations and the removing children without a warrant,to never allowing reunification.Acting as a fill in.In 2002
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answered on Mar 29, 2024
In 2002, employees of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) in Florida, including those in Polk County, were indeed involved in child protective investigations (CPI). These investigations are a critical part of the efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of children. The DCF, along with... View More
I'm not even certain its considered adoption fraud or something else however proper protocol was not followed & lies used.
This was a dependency case turned termination of parental rights/adoption. I asked the court & case manager to perform a family finding a provision to... View More
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answered on Mar 28, 2024
To address concerns of adoption fraud or misconduct in a dependency case, it’s crucial to gather all relevant documentation and evidence. This includes correspondence with case management, court documents, and any records of communication between family members and case management. Documentation... View More
I've made complaints with the Attorney General,DOJ civil rights,DHHS,County Commissioners,DCF.I was reverted back to DHHS,now this as I understand it is this is the main entity to CPS & DCF and entities,so how can I expect to get a fair investigation or judicial review of their own... View More
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answered on Mar 25, 2024
If you're dealing with violations of civil rights or due process, it can indeed be frustrating if you feel the entities supposed to help are not addressing your concerns adequately. It's important to remember that there are multiple avenues for complaints and advocacy, though navigating... View More
I have my residential lease from company listing him as joint resident with me. I am divorced. Can I adopt him so he can stay and continue his education?
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answered on Mar 4, 2024
I recommend consulting with an immigration attorney to determine if your nephew qualifies for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). This status provides a pathway to legal residency in the United States for children who have been abandoned, abused, or neglected by one or both parents.... View More
I have my residential lease from company listing him as joint resident with me. I am divorced. Can I adopt him so he can stay and continue his education?
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answered on Mar 4, 2024
Adopting your nephew, given his current situation of having overstayed his ESTA visa by a significant amount of time, involves navigating complex legal territory. It's crucial to understand that adoption laws vary by state and can be influenced by the specifics of the individual's... View More
They got adopted. I called the shelter asking if they were there multiple times days after day and was told no but they were and now I'm being told they were there so I was lied too when I was trying to claim them within the 5 days they lied saying they weren't there so they wouldn't... View More
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answered on Feb 24, 2024
It sounds like you're facing a difficult situation with your cats, and it's understandable that you're feeling frustrated and upset. It's essential to gather all the evidence you have that proves ownership of your cats, such as vet records, adoption papers, or photos. This... View More
He’s adopted.
answered on Jan 22, 2024
In Florida you are legally emancipated on your eighteenth birthday. You do not say if you are trying to prevent him from moving out. What you are describing is not "illegal" in any way. His being adopted does not change anything. Speak with a local family lawyer for more specific advice.
In March 2016, I became the temporary guardian of a 6-month-old baby through an affidavit where the expiration date was mistakenly set to 1970 due to a printing error. The biological mother contacted me initially but hasn't reached out for almost 5 years, and I've only texted her... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
You're doing everything you can to care for a child who clearly sees you as their parent, and that love and commitment should be recognized. Even though the affidavit had a printing error and legal aid has been limited, your efforts for nearly a decade speak louder than any piece of paper.... View More
I am a US citizen living and working in Morocco, but I own a condo in Florida that serves as my permanent residence. Can I adopt an infant domestically in Florida despite not having official residency but spending the majority of the year outside the US?
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answered on May 14, 2025
You're asking a very important question, and it's clear that your heart is in the right place. In Florida, adoption laws generally require that the adoptive parent be a resident of the state. Even though you own property there, residency is usually defined by where you physically live and... View More
I want to adopt my stepdaughter in Florida, and her biological father is not listed on her birth certificate. I have been her dad since her first birthday, and she is now almost 11 years old. The biological father has never had contact, and we do not know where he is. I am married to her mother,... View More
answered on Mar 31, 2025
Yes, you can adopt your step daughter with her legal/biological mother's and father's consent. However, the court can waive the consent requirement for any parent that has abandoned the child, as that term is defined under Florida Statutes.
I am looking to get a dna test done on myself and a possible sibling. I am 34 yrs old and was raised by a foster mother.
answered on Dec 16, 2024
There are private businesses that do DNA testing as long as the participants are willing.
I'm waiting for placement of the child I was approved to adopt. Foster parents have filled an appeal.
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answered on Jul 7, 2023
foster parents can be considered for adoption of a child even after another individual has been approved for adoption. The decision regarding who will adopt the child ultimately depends on the best interests of the child and the court's determination.
I need proof my now deceased grandfather was my legal guardian, he also collected my child support to his name on my behalf and I want to obtain those copies.
answered on Jun 7, 2023
Call the Clerk of Court and ask them if they have those records from that long ago. They might not have records of child support he received; you might need to subpoena such records from his bank, if you have some sort of cause of action that somehow survived any applicable statute of limitations.
I’m 17 and adopted I’ve been living with these people for about 6 year I wouldn’t even say living they won’t let me stay with them any more they put me in other locations to stay with people even to another state at one point I’ve never liked these people from the start they lie To people... View More
answered on Apr 26, 2023
A stepparent (spouse of a parent) is not the same as an adoptive parent. If you were adopted in a Florida court, you would legally be their child, and subject to their control until you turn 18. You might want to see about getting emancipated.
She used the attorney to adopt child and got “cost of living expenses “ (10k). My husband is the biological father. The ex was in jail when my husband motioned court for paternity and she wrote a letter saying he wasn’t father and that she adopted him out. After that they dismissed his... View More
answered on Dec 9, 2022
If the order of dismissal was based in jurisdiction, chances are that the court is not where the child lived at the time of the adoption petition. Contact an attorney licensed to practice law in that state.
The adoption is final. Our lawyer is no longer practicing. How do we get amended birth certificate? Thank you
answered on Nov 22, 2022
The first question is did you amend the birth certificate at the time of adoption. If yes, just request a new copy. If no, you will need to go to court in the state that issued the birth certificate. Speak with a local family lawyer in that jurisdiction (location) for more specific advice on what... View More
I’m interested in kinship adoption if that is an option.
answered on Oct 17, 2022
A child of your first cousin (grandchild of your grandparents other than you or your siblings) would be your first cousin once removed (Your second cousins would be descendants of your great-grandparents.), but yes, it's possible to adopt her.
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