ADULT ADOPTION

You can do it under the law but it may not be a good idea. Prior to marriage equality, some couples performed an adult adoption in order to ensure inheritance rights between them. Now that same-sex marriage is legal in all fifty states, there are better options to make sure you and your loved one are protected, even if you don’t marry. Call our attorneys to talk through your family’s particular situation.

In an adult adoption, the consent of the original parent(s) is not required. However, the law requires that we give the parents notice of the adoption filing and they are allowed to come to court and object. The presiding Clerk of Court will have to determine that the adoption is not in your best interest before s/he will deny the adoption. Just because your original parent(s) doesn’t consent doesn’t mean you can’t be adopted by your family of choice.

That depends on what the petitioner requests. If the person adopting and the adoptee decide to change the adoptee’s name, they can do that in an adult adoption. Otherwise, the name of the adoptee stays the same.

Yes. It will.  The legal ties to your other parent (whether deceased or not) will be severed and you will no longer be legally bound to that person.