Get free answers to your Adoption legal questions from lawyers in your area.
My wife and I are in the beginning stages of adopting my nephew's son. However, we are getting a divorce, and there are no custody arrangements in place. If the divorce is finalized before the adoption is completed, would my wife, who is on the adoption papers but has no biological relation to... View More 
answered on Jun 17, 2025
Your wife's ability to seek custody depends largely on the timing and status of the adoption.
If the adoption is finalized before your divorce, then both you and your wife will be legal parents of the child—regardless of biological connection. In that case, the family court would... View More
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
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
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
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.
I filed a petition online to unseal adoption documents in Broward County, Florida, through the clerk of courts. The court completed the petition process on 6/6/2025. What steps should I take next to receive the answer or decision regarding my petition?
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answered on Jun 12, 2025
Now that your petition has been processed, you'll need to wait for the court to schedule a hearing or issue a written decision on your request. In Broward County, judges typically review sealed adoption petitions within 30-60 days of filing, though complex cases may take longer. Check your... View More
I have been the permanent guardian of a child since birth, and I now wish to adopt. The child is currently 4 years old. The biological mother is absent and cannot be located, and the biological father is occasionally present. How can I proceed with the adoption under these circumstances?
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answered on Jun 11, 2025
You start by filing an adoption petition in the same circuit court where your guardianship was granted, noting that you’ve held permanent guardianship since the child’s birth. In that petition you’ll list yourself as petitioner, attach your guardianship order, and explain that the mother is... View More
I am seeking to determine the validity of a coercion claim in an adoption case in Florida. About a month ago, I was coerced into giving up my child for adoption under threats that Child Protective Services would be called if I questioned the process. This coercion was not from law enforcement or... View More
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answered on Jun 11, 2025
You may have a path to challenge the adoption if you can prove that you signed under duress or undue influence by hospital or agency staff. In Florida, a final judgment can sometimes be set aside if you file a motion under the civil-procedure rules for relief from judgment based on fraud,... View More
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.
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