Adoption Questions & Answers by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Adoption Questions & Answers
Q: can I adopt grandson without one of the parents agreeing

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption for West Virginia on Aug 28, 2015

Answered on Aug 28, 2015

Terrence H Thorgaard's answer
Under certain circumstances, an adoption can be ordered without her consent. You should consult with an attorney licensed to practice law in your state.
Q: I am 26 years old- I have 2half-siblings age 6 & 3. They are being adopted. What are my legal rights for visitation?
1 Answer | Asked in Adoption for Rhode Island on Jun 26, 2015
Answered on Aug 24, 2015
Neville Bedford's answer
Work with the attorneys and case worker to see if provisions can be made for you to stay in contact.
Q: Options for bringing Adopted Child to US :Myself and my husband are currently on EAD (employment based) status. We have
1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law and Adoption for Maryland on Aug 22, 2015
Answered on Aug 24, 2015
Shan Dimitris Potts' answer
We need to know what kind of visa you are on. EAD just means you have a work permit to work legally in the United States, it does not say anything about the type of visa you have. If you are on legal visa you will be able to bring the child here as a dependant and to guide you properly I need know the type of visa you and your husband are on. All the best and congratulations on the adoption.
"15 years of successful immigration law experience. The answer above is only general in nature...
Q: I'm a U.S citizen, I was adopted and I want to know how I can get my biological brother? I know I can't petition for him
2 Answers | Asked in Education Law, Immigration Law, International Law and Adoption for New Jersey on Aug 17, 2015
Answered on Aug 17, 2015
Leonard R. Boyer's answer
He needs to apply for a student visa on his own. However it may take a while before one is granted, if at all. It is a complex process. He needs to apply to US schools and see if he can get a scholarship, among other things. Good luck.
Q: I'm a U.S citizen, I was adopted and I want to know how I can get my biological brother? I know I can't petition for him
2 Answers | Asked in Education Law, Immigration Law, International Law and Adoption for New Jersey on Aug 17, 2015
Answered on Aug 17, 2015
Leonard R. Boyer's answer
He needs to apply for a student visa on his own. However it may take a while before one is granted, if at all. It is a complex process. He needs to apply to US schools and see if he can get a scholarship, among other things. Good luck.
Q: If her birth mother gives me consent, am I able to adopt my 14 year old cousin?
Robert Jason De Groot's answer
You need to get to an attorney for a full discussion in a confidential setting. The attorney will be able to ask questions and get answers. Go see a local family lawyer about this.
Q: I was adopted in 1993 and it's a closed adoption. Is there any way I can get any info from the state to help me reunite
Robert Jason De Groot's answer
Go see the court clerk in the county where the adoption took place.
Q: My Step-Dad is an American Citizen, can he adopt me?
1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law and Adoption on Aug 11, 2015
Answered on Aug 12, 2015
Camlinh Nguyen Rogers' answer
Seek advice from an experienced immigration attorney. Good luck. www.aba-us.com
Q: A very greedy single woman adopts a girl in Ohio about 7 years ago. Does she receive money from the state?
Matthew Williams' answer
What?
Q: I'm 42 years old and my biological father is unknown, even says so on my Birth Certificate. My step dad raised me.
Matthew Williams' answer
It will certainly be easier if you use a lawyer, but as long as this is a mutually desired thing and no one is objecting, you can probably get it done yourselves. The prospective adoptive parent needs to file a petition in domestic relations court. Also, if money is a concern, call your local legal aid society office. They may have form petitions for this sort of thing, which will get you started.
You should read this information:...
Q: What's the adoption process
Julie A. Rice's answer
The Adoption process in Georgia is very technical and complicated if you are not an attorney who specializes in that area of law. In order to make sure that everything is done properly, it would be money well spent to hire an attorney to assist you so that it is done properly or the court will reject anything that you try to do on your own.
Q: How can I get my daughter back into my care after she was adopted
Robert Jason De Groot's answer
More facts are needed to even begin to answer this question. Basically, this can be done if the adoption was fraudulent, perhaps.
Q: Will a lawyer help me fill out adoption petitions and report of adoptions for free?
1 Answer | Asked in Adoption for Rhode Island on Apr 20, 2015
Answered on May 12, 2015
Neville Bedford's answer
If you qualify for free legal services, you may well find an attorney to assist you through Rhode Island Legal Service or the Bar Association Volunteer Lawyer Program. If you can afford to hire an attorney, that would be your best avenue. Adoptions are rather a specialized area of practice and the fees you will pay are a sound investment in ensuring your child's future is secured properly.
Q: I have a daughter age 17 who has a terminal disease JHD and pregnant. How do I go about adoption of my granddaughter.
Robert Jason De Groot's answer
Adoption may not be the best route to go. It might be better to seek temporary custody by extended family. Go see a family attorney about these matters.
Q: How do I adopt my stepson?
Julie A. Rice's answer
Adoptions in Georgia are highly technical. It is in your best interest to hire an attorney that is very familiar with the adoption process or you could waste valuable time and efforts trying to figure it out yourself. At any rate, the mother will need to waive her parental rights to the child in order for you to be successful in the adoption. She may or may not be willing to do this. If she isn't, then you should make sure that she at least pays child support for the child.
Q: I want my step dad to apopt me , how much does this cost in Florida?
Robert Jason De Groot's answer
Your step father, and mother, should go see a family attorney in your area. Some attorneys do not charge a lot for doing this, and I think the court costs are around $400.
Q: I'm 24, an American citizen and I want to adopt my 12 niece to live with me here, her parents are poor. how do I start
Robert Jason De Groot's answer
Start by going to see a local adoption attorney about this.
Q: Im 21 of age, i haven't spoken to my real parent for years and i was wondering if i can get adopted by my friend.
Matthew Williams' answer
Perhaps. Read this: https://www.ohiobar.org/ForPublic/Resources/LawYouCanUse/Pages/LawYouCanUse-475.aspx
The court will want to know that a parent-child like relationship between you and the person adopting you existed while you were a minor. This may be difficult to show, given that he is only two years older than you. You can always change your name.
Q: What steps do I take to adopt my husbands baby in Ohio? Her mother passed away when she was 2 mo old.
Matthew Williams' answer
https://www.ohiobar.org/forpublic/resources/lawyoucanuse/pages/lawyoucanuse-204.aspx
Q: Can I get a child back in my custody that's been adopted
Matthew Williams' answer
Probably not. If the adoption has been finalized and there was no fraud or duress involved and the adoptive parents have a stable, safe home environment, there is little chance of having the child returned to your custody unless they agree to do so.