Adoption

Two women and a child are sitting next to each other in a living room.

ADOPTION



  • How long does it take to adopt?

    It depends on many factors, such as the specific issues of the case, the type of adoption, whether the adoption is contested or not, and the calendar of the Court.

  • Domestic Adoption by Relative- Who can adopt a child?

    Anyone can adopt a child who is eligible for adoption, either due to parental death or termination of parental rights.  However, only persons related within the 3rd degree of consanguinity to the child, or the stepparent of the child who is currently married to the actual parent of the child, can be considered a relative for the purposes of Adoption by Relative.

  • Can same sex couples adopt in Florida?

    Same-sex couples in Florida have the same legal rights to adopt children as anyone else, allowing them to provide loving homes and supportive environments for their adopted children. Florida law prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation in adoption, ensuring equal opportunities for all prospective parents.

Relative adoptions play an essential role in safeguarding a child's legal and emotional well-being. This form of adoption may involve various family members, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, adult siblings, or more distant kin.


Often, these adoptions arise when biological parents face challenges that prevent them from adequately meeting their parental duties. Relative adoption is a legal measure that offers the child a stable and loving environment, vital for their well-being and development.


The process confers all legal rights and protections inherent in the parent-child relationship. This includes, but is not limited to, matters of child support, inheritance rights, and legal adherence to all statutes pertaining to parental obligations.


The adoption procedure encompasses two critical steps: first, the legal termination of the biological or legal parents' rights, and second, the official adoption of the child by the relative. Through this process, the relative adopter assumes all parenting responsibilities and liabilities, including providing child support, and acquires comprehensive parental rights over the child.


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