Sometimes, people share a relationship that is so special that they consider each other to be “like a parent” or “like a child”. In such a case, many people choose to make legal the familial bonds they already feel. Adoption matters, even though the child is an adult, for many reasons, including legal/technical reasons such as ease of estate planning, as well as the overarching intrinsic reason of welcoming someone into your family.

Adult adoption is generally a quick and streamlined process. An adult adoption is obtained by filing a joint petition for termination of parental rights and adoption. The only people whose consent to the adoption is required are the adult adoptee and, if married, the adoptee’s spouse, unless the spouse’s consent is waived by the court for good cause. Although the birth/legal parents of the adult adoptee must be notified in writing of the final hearing on the adoption, their consent to the adoption is not required. The person adopting the adult does not have to complete a home study. Once the petition is filed, there is no waiting period, and the court may finalize the adoption immediately. The court is authorized to grant the adult adoptee a name change as part of the adoption proceeding.

To find out more about the adoption process, please contact us to arrange a consultation.