[green440]

what are the procedures for adopting stepchildren?

[julienjeremy]

well, i have been doing research for that and i know in north carolina a home study is required for any type of adoption so you would probably have to see what the steps are for your state, because every state seems to have different laws and procedures. julie

[tgardner92102]

Yes, what Julie said because I am in PA and we haven't had one done.

[maille]

I just had my home study done for the step-parent adoption on Thursday. I spent 2 days scrubbing floors, making beds, bleaching stuff, etc. It went wonderfully, and easily. I don't think that all my cleaning (I have two little kids) really mattered. All they are really looking for it a happy, close, functional family. I'm sure the cheese and cracker tray helped, too.

[farmgirl73]

Our home study was waived by our lawyer. We live in Missouri so it does seem that state laws do vary. Good Luck.

[jaslken]

Where do you find the State law requirements? I live in NJ!

[maille]

from what I understand, NJ requires an "adoption investigation" for a stepparent adoption. The judge will order it. This involves a child-abuse background check, a regular background check, letters (and physicals) from your child's pediatrician and the adopting parent's doctor, reference letters from about 7 people, and interviews in the home. We did it, it wasn't too bad. Just a lot of paperwork.

[jaslken]

Thanks for the info!!!

Do you knwo of anyting else we need to get prepared? I am going to the Law Library tonite to get the forms needed to file Pro-Se. I wish the county clerk could have just told me that. She said I needed an attorney. Did you do your adoption pro-se or did you use an attorney?

[maille]

I am using an attorney, only because the biological father decided to fight it. I was going to do it pro-se. If you're sure that there's not going to be a fight, you can do it yourself. You need to file a complaint for adoption (outlining the reasons and circumstances surrounding the abandonment of the child), to be served upon the opposing party after the judge sets a court date. When you file your complaint for adoption, the court will give you the name of an agency with whom to have your adoption investigation with (home visit). Everything must be done, normally, by 10 days before your court date, which means you've got to be extremely proactive while dealing with the agency (I had to call about 10 times before I could secure an appointment). The investigation cost me about $800 all together, which I thought was good, because I'm a worst-case-scenario person, and I was expecting about $5000. The other party then has 35 days (not 20, as you might hear) in order to file a response with you and the court. Then you wait for your court date for termination of parental rights...

(I'm not a lawyer, nor do I play one on T.V.)
Good Luck!

[maille]

also...My attorney's paralegal told me that I COULD have done it myself...but I'm a cryer, and I feel better with him there. If I could have done it, surely you can do it.

[tgage]

I did the paperwork and court hearing to adopt my 4 step children in Utah. It's all about reading the laws and doing research. If someone's going to do their own work in an adoption, they need to head off to a good law library (check law schools, etc...) and start the research.

Places to research:

1. The specific law, of course - this can most often be found on-line

2. Cases related to any issues (legal questions) that may come up - like notifying the asbsent parent, consent, etc...

3. Forms - there are some generic form books where you can get info on the different forms you'll need, but the best thing to do is to find some sample forms from research someone else has done. Look under "domestic relations" or "family law" in your local law library.

4. Procedure. This will be somewhat spelled out in the laws, but there'll also be some kind of rules of procedure for your state (and specific court). Also, there are probably law magazine articles that will spellout the process - just look for them.

I loved doing all the research to adopt my step children and it even spurred me on to a new career. I went back to school and finished up my bachelor's degree in paralegal studies and now work as a paralegal for a law firm.

Tim