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Stepparent Adoption (uncontested/with consent): $399.00 (one child)
(add $200 for each additional child)
Stepparent Adoption (uncontested/without consent): $649.00
(includes companion Petition to Terminate Parental Rights)
Adult Adoption: $399.00
Independent Adoption: $650.00
Our services always include:
Interview and gathering of data from client
Preparation of all standard legal documents (no additional or hidden costs)
Free preparation of court fee waiver forms for qualified individuals
Processing/filing of documents with appropriate court
Unlimited correspondence via email
Coordination of service of process (if appropriate)
Client copies of documents
Unlimited access to your court case docket
Free comprehensive Legal Guide regarding your proceeding
Fees are for Document Preparation only and do not include any filing fees or other costs
All services include a free, comprehensive, attorney-authored LEGAL GUIDE specific to your particular matter
IT IS ALWAYS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU SEEK LEGAL ADVICE FROM AN ATTORNEY
BEFORE FILING ANY LEGAL DOCUMENTS. MANY ATTORNEYS OFFER FREE CONSULTATIONS.
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INFORMATION ON ADOPTION: Please note - all information provided through this site is general, published, factual information and should not be
cited on or relied on as legal authority nor should it be considered legal advice.
What Is An Adoption?
An adoption creates a legal relationship between two parties that previously did not exist. It declares that the person being adopted is legally the
child of
the adoptive parent and the child becomes the adopting parent's legal heir. The child is entitled to all of the rights and privileges and subject to all of the obligations of a child born to the adoptive parent. An adoption ends the rights of a birth parent and creates rights for the adoptive parent.
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Who May Adopt?
The following persons generally may adopt:
1. A husband and wife or two domestic partners, jointly.
2. The unmarried minor birth parent of the person being adopted.
3. An unmarried adult along with the birth parent of the person being adopted
4. An unmarried adult, individually.
4. An adult who is married or has a domestic partner with the consent of their
spouse or domestic partner.
** In California adoptions, the person adopting must be a California resident. **
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Types of Adoptions: The question for those looking
into adoption is not whether you should adopt, rather what method of adoption is best for you. There are approximately 12 different routes towards adoption, however we will address the
three main types, stepparent adoption, independent adoption and adult adoption.
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Step Parent Adoptions: One of the most common types of adoption is the adoption of a child by a stepparent. Usually the child being adopted is a minor,
however a stepchild that has reached adult age can be adopted through an adult adoption proceeding. In most states, both children
and adults may be adopted. In a stepparent adoption, the child’s legal rights and duties towards his or her natural absent parent is terminated
and similar rights and duties toward the person's adoptive parent is assumed. There are many benefits of a stepparent adoption.
- Symbolic Aspects:
The effects of the stepparent adoption may be more important psychologically than legally. The legal process reinforces the feelings of "family" that a
stepparent and child may share.
- Legal Rights: A stepparent is not a legal guardian and has no right to sign permission
slips for school or medical purposes. An adoption order gives a stepparent this right. He or she becomes the child's legal guardian jointly with his or her spouse.
- Inheritance Rights: Children will have inheritance rights to their stepparent families'
estates after legal adoption has taken place. The children will lose inheritance rights with the non-adopting natural parent after the adoption order is complete.
 Independent Adoption:
An independent adoption is different from a stepparent adoption where one of the parties retains their legal
rights as parent to the adoptive child. In an independent adoption, the party or parties adopting the child usually have no direct biological ties
to the child being adopted. In some situations, the birth mother may personally meet and select the adoptive parent(s). In all cases where
a child is available for adoption, the process begins by filing a Petition for Adoption in the county where the adoptive parents reside. A notice is then provided by the
court to the Department of Social Services, and an investigation is completed. A report by the Department of Social Services is then provided to the court, and the court determines whether
or not the adoption is in the best interests of the child and if the Petition will be granted. The prospective adoptive parents may also be required to have medical examinations performed by
a physician before the adoption can be finalized.
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Adoption of a minor child - who must consent?
Unless the court does not require it, a petition to adopt a child under age 18 may be granted only if:
- The mother signed a written consent after the birth of the child.
- The father signed a written consent that:
- the child was conceived while he was married to the mother
- the child is his by a previous adoption, or
- the child has been established to be his by a court proceeding
- If the child is older than 12 years, he or she has signed a written consent.
The court may approve an adoption without the the noncustodial parent’s
consent to an adoption if:
- A parent has deserted a child without giving means of identification or has abandoned a child (a diligent effort must be made
to notify the parent and get consent).
- A parent who has been declared incapacitated by a court and for whom restoration of capacity is medically improbable.
- A parent whose parental rights have been terminated by court order.
- A legal guardian or custodian of a person to be adopted, other
than a parent, who has failed to respond to a request for consent within 60 days or who, after examination by the court, is found to be withholding consent unreasonably.
In these instances, a separate proceeding to terminate the noncustodial parent’s rights may be required to be filed in addition to the Petition for Adoption.
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 Adult Adoption: Any adult person may adopt another younger adopt person. The person being adopted may be unrelated, or may be
an adult stepchild, niece, nephew, cousin or grandchild of the adopting person. Often in a stepparent situation, when the legal
parent’s rights cannot be terminated nor consent obtained, the parties can wait until the minor is 18 and proceed with an adult adoption. In adult adoptions,
- neither the consent of the natural parent or parents of the person to be adopted is required.
- a Social Services investigation is typically not required.
- a married person who is not legally separated from his or her spouse cannot adopt an
adult person without the consent of the spouse of the adopting person.
- a married person who is not legally separated from his or her spouse cannot be adopted
without the consent of the spouse of the person to be adopted.
- the person being adopted may elect to change his or her name through the adoption
proceeding or may elect to keep his or her existing name.
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 Filing Your Proceeding Using our Self-Help Services:
Preparing all of the necessary adoption documentation can easily be
overwhelming for the average lay person. This process can easily be facilitated with the assistance of a registered Legal Document Assistant.
Our services include the preparation and court processing of the required
court required and scheduling of court hearings. In addition, our office offers a comprehensive self-help library which is available to all clients during document preparation
services performed in our office as well as a complimentary attorney-approved self-help booklet pertaining to your particular type of proceeding. To proceed with your document preparation,
click on the link below.
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