What is adult adoption? Can you adopt an adult?

Adult adoption is very common in California - adoption isn't just for children. Actually, adult adoption (adopting a person aged 18 or over) is very popular to formally create a legal family relationship. Yet many people wonder, "Can you adopt an adult?"

When you adopt an adult it creates a parent-child relationship, and legally terminates the parental relationship of the parent who is being displaced (although this can be waived by the person being adopted).

Adult Step Parent Adoption Is the most common type of adult adoption.

Most adult adoptions are by a step parent. Often they did not do the adoption when the adoptee was a child due to the fact the absent parent would not consent. An adult adoption does not require the absent parent's consent, however. Also, if desired, an adult adoption even gives you the chance to do a free name change (such as the adoptee taking the last name of the adopting parent).

But not every adult adoption is a step parent adoption, as where the adoptee has formed a strong relationship with replacement parenting figures, whether a couple, or a single woman or man.

Is a home study or investigation required?

No. Because there are no children involved, there is no legal requirement for a home study or investigation in adult adoptions. This saves time and money. Without the requirement of a home study or investigation, most of Randy's clients are in court to finalize their adoption within two months of starting the process.

Riverside, San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Ventura Counties - Do they handle adult adoptions differently?

Yes and no. Each has a filing fee of $20.00 and sometimes there are extra court costs. For example, San Bernardino County has an extra fee for the court reporter at the final hearing. (Randy pays all these costs, and other related costs, out of his fee, so they are not extra costs for you.) Each county varies slightly on which pleadings and forms they require, how they want the documents filed (some counties require over-the-counter filing while others mandate electronic filing), how the adoption is finalized (some counties do it as an in-person hearing while others do it all by video so you do it from home), and the time it takes to get to court after filing the Petition for Adult Adoption can vary (usually from about 6- 15 weeks). Randy will explain to you exactly how your county court handles things. We can file your Petition for Adoption in either the county where the adopting parent(s) or the adoptee lives.

What paperwork is required when adopting an adult?

The only negative thing about adult adoption is it actually often involves more  legal paperwork than a standard step parent adoption, or adoption of a minor, and most counties require that the forms be custom drafted, rather than use court forms. Regardless, Randy's job is to do the paperwork so this is not a concern for you.

What are Randy's qualifications and fees?

Randy has been an adoption attorney for 36 years, limiting his practice to adoption. In fact, years ago he began limiting his practice to only adult adoption, perhaps making him the only attorney in the country with such a narrow specialty. Please see the links below for client reviews and to view his credentials.

Randy charges a flat fee of only $2,250 to do an adult adoption (compared to most attorneys who charge hourly with the total being much more - you will find the average to be about $3,500-$4,000). There is not even an extra legal extra fee for those families who want to do an adoption, but not have the parental rights of the existing parent(s) terminated. If the adoption is a stepparent adoption, then the existing parent who is married to the adopting stepparent automatically keeps his or her parental rights. However, the other parent's rights automatically end when the adoption is granted. Previously, there was nothing that could be done about this, but due to a new law written just several years ago (by Randy) the adoptee can now elect to keep existing parents' rights, and does not even require their involvement in any way.

With the flat fee you will know the exact cost of your adoption in advance. His fee includes the preparation of all required legal documents, setting the hearing date, appearing with you in court and even the court filing fee and his office costs, which other attorneys pass along to you. The initial consultation is free and is done by Zoom. To schedule your free consultation, please complete Randy's online Adult Adoption Questionnaire to give him basic facts about your desired adoption. Then just click "submit" and he will contact you promptly. Randy has four offices serving San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Ventura Counties:

11801 Pierce Street, Suite 200
Riverside, CA 92505
951-787-8300

 

 

4025 Camino Del Rio S., Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92108
619-542-7715

 

 

2030 Main Street, Suite 1300
Irvine, CA 92614
949-260-4705

 

 

Or email your questions to: [email protected]