WHAT IS AN ADOPTION?

Adoption is the legal procedure through which a minor is recognized by law as being the son or daughter
of the adopting adult(s) and as having all of the rights and duties of such relationship including the right of
inheritance. The adoptee takes the name designated by the petitioner.

WHAT STEPS ARE USUALLY INVOLVED IN AN ADOPTION?
 

1. Preplacement investigation.

2. All necessary consents and/or relinquishments concerning the adoption are obtained.

3. Guardian ad litem is appointed when either natural parent of the adoptee is a minor or in case of a contested hearing.

4. Petition court for authority to pay fees or expenses.

5. Placement of child with petitioners.

6. File petition for adoption 30 days after placement.

7. Serve notice or obtain waiver of notice on or from all parties entitled to notice of the adoption.

8. Post placement investigation.

9. Hearings.

10. Affidavits of non-payment.

11. Accounting of disbursements.

 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ADOPTION BY A
STEPPARENT OR A CLOSE FAMILY MEMBER AND OTHER ADOPTIONS?
 

Unlike all other adoptions, usually no preplacement orpostplacement investigation, nor accounting of the cost relating to the adoption are required.In order to be exempt from these requirements, the adoptee must have lived with the petitioner for at least
one year.

 

WHAT IS MY NEXT STEP?
 

Adoptions are complicated legal procedures with a lot at stake.  For that reason we highly recommend seeking out a lawyer before filing for an adoption.
 

 

REPORT OF ADOPTION FORM (.pdf)