ADOPTION

1) I'd like to adopt my stepchild. What is involved?

Answer:

In order to adopt a stepchild, the biological parent must give up

his/her parental rights. If the biological parent refuses, a

stepparent cannot adopt the stepchild. If the biological parent

is unknown or consents, the court can order a termination of the

parent/child relationship during the same legal proceeding as the

adoption.

2) What is involved in adoption a child?

Answer:

Usually the Court will order a Social Study which checks into the

circumstances of the child and of the home of the adopting person.

Additionally a pre-adoptive home screening and a post-placement

report will be required. A health study is prepared prior to

adoption with available information regarding the health, social,

educational and genetic history of the adoptive child.

3) Is it possible for the child's natural parent to come back later and undo the adoption and get the child back?

Answer:

It is virtually impossible to undo an adoption. It would take

something very serious like fraud, kidnapping, falsifying

documents and the like for the courts to undo an adoption.

4) Can the child inherit from the adoptive parent?

Answer:

Yes. Once adopted, the child has exactly the same rights as a

naturally born child. The Court will not differentiate between an

adopted child and a naturally born child.

5) I want to adopt the child, but my spouse doesn't. Can I still adopt the child?

Answer:

NO. Both parents must agree to adopt the child. The court will

not allow an adoption by only one spouse. There is no restriction

to single people adopting a child, however, both spouses must

agree to adopt.