What county do we adopt in?

Generally, you can only adopt in the county in which the adopting stepparent lives.

Do we have to live in the county for a particular time before we can file our Adoption Request with the court?

No. It is only required that you are actual residents.

Do we have to be married a certain time before we file our Adoption Request?

California law does not require a minimum time period, so the answer is "no." Some counties "recommend" a minimum period of time to be married, or cohabiting, such as one year.

Why is there an investigation (often called a home study) before the step parent adoption is approved? What does it consist of?

The county and state want to make sure the child's best interests are served by the stepparent adoption being granted and creating a new parent-child relationship. There will be a criminal history check of the adopting parent via fingerprinting.

Is there an investigation of the spouse of the adopting parent (the biological parent of the child who is retaining their parental rights)?

No. The existing parent is not required to go through the fingerprinting process, et cetera.

Is there a fee by for the step parent investigation?

Yes. Each county has a different fee and you must file in the county in which you live. Most counties charge the maximum allowed by law: $700.

What if the adopting parent had a criminal problem, like a DUI several years ago?

It is very rare for such an occurance to deny a stepparent adoption, unless it was for a serious issue. However, if the issue was one related to their character and child-caring abilities, such as child abuse, spousal abuse, et cetera, then yes, it could result in a recommendation to not grant the adoption.

What about if the adopting step parent had a bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy is not a bar to adopting your stepchild.

Do we need the absent parent's consent?

Yes. There is a specific Consent to Adoption form.

What if the absent parent can't be found, or declines to sign a consent?

In about 95% of stepparent adoptions, the absent parent is the birth father, and although the majority of birth fathers willingly sign a consent, it is not unusual when one can't be found, or is not cooperative in signing a consent.

What is the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)?

The ICWA is both a California and federal law which states that if the child is a member, or eligible for membership, in a Native American or Eskimo tribe, special rules and laws apply when the child is to be adopted.

Do we give up future child support after the adoption that the absent parent has been paying in the past?

Yes, the absent parent's obligation for future child support ends when the adoption is granted. If the absent parent is past due on child support, the granting of the step parent adoption does not normally forgive that past-due debt, however.

Do we have to appear in court when the adoption is granted?

Yes. The adopting parent, their spouse (the child's biological parent) and the child must normally appear at the finalization hearing (unless military duty makes it impossible, then there can be an exception, or the adoptive parents have moved away during the step-parent adoption).

Does the child have to consent to the adoption?

If the child is 11 or under, then no, his or her written consent is not required. If the child is age 12 or older, the child must sign a consent to the adoption in the finalization court hearing.

What are typical costs for a step parent adoption, including legal fees? And how do we choose a stepparent adoption attorney?

While costs for stepparent adoption vary little (the investigation, fingerprinting, et cetera), legal fees can vary tremendously. There are many things you can do to select the right attorney for your case.

Do we get a new birth certificate for the child changing their name? Does this cost extra?

Yes, you get one, and no, there is no extra fee. The amended birth certificate will also list the adopting parent as the birth parent, replacing the absent parent, and you can change the child's name.

How does a stepparent adoption affect the rights of the existing custodial parent?

No, the spouse who is the biological parent does not lose her parental rights.

What obligations is the adopting parent incurring?

In adopting the child, the adopting parent is agreeing to assume the same obligations he or she would incur as if the child was born to him or her.

Does the Federal Adoption Tax Credit apply to stepparent adoptions?

No. Unfortunately, the Federal Adoption Tax Credit does not apply to step-parent adoptions.

How long does it take to complete a stepparent adoption?

The real waiting time is how long the government will take to process the adopting step parent's fingerprints. This can add several months. Then there is a way of about 3-12 weeks for the court to set the final hearing date after receipt of the report from the agency.

Do we have to use an attorney to do a stepparent adoption?

Technically, no. You can file on your own, called "in pro per." However, even in uncontested adoptions, there are a lot of important legal issues involved.

How do we select an adoption attorney?

It is recommended to find an actual adoption attorney, as adoptions are uniquely different from general family law cases, which is primarily divorce and child custody.

Stepparent Adoption Attorney, Randall Hicks, serving San Diego, Riverside, Orange & San Bernardino Counties

Adoption attorney Randall Hicks 5-star reviews.

Attorney Randall Hicks handles step parent adoptions.

Here's the reality... You want an experienced, skilled and dedicated attorney for your stepparent adoption. You want them to guide you through the process quickly. You want it done economically. You want easy-to-understand fees. Most of all, you want an attorney truly focused on stepparent adoption so you know they have all the knowledge necessary.

So this page is to tell you about my experience, and that of my Senior Counsel, Allen Hall. I hope you decide we are the right attorneys for you. We serve San Diego, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties (and beyond).

RANDALL HICKS' EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

Here is a fast thumbnail overview with links I encourage you to follow:

• Almost four decades as an attorney dedicated solely to adoption cases. Calbar.ca.gov.
• BBB (Better Business Bureau) highest rating of A+. Verify it here.
• Over 200 five-star client reviews on Lawyers.com.
• The popular attorney-rating site, Avvo, has awarded me the highest rating of "10" and the Clients Choice Award. You can verify that and see the 190+ five-star client reviews at Avvo.com. (You can also scroll down to the bottom of this page to view recent reviews.)
• Awarded the AV "preeminent" rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible rating.
• 150+ five-star Yelp and Google total reviews (when adding all my office locations). The links here are to my Orange County office.
• Profiled on Wikipedia as an attorney and author.
• Noted author on adoption and stepparenting. Here is a link to STEP PARENTING: One-Minute Dos & Don'ts for Stepdads & Stopmoms.

Unlike most attorneys who charge hourly, where you have little real idea what the final cost will be, we charge a flat fee of $2,500. Please read the details of our flat fee here.

My work in adoption is not limited to lawyering. I've worked with the California Legislature in writing adoption laws beneficial to adoptive parents. And as an author my books have been featured on The Today Show, CBS This Morning, Sally Jesse Raphael and more.

Adoption and parenting books by adoption attorney, Randall Hicks.

My website has the same mindset of my books, which is to help educate people. You should not have to pay an attorney to learn the basics, so that is provided for you here. You will find more in-depth information on these pages than on another other website on stepparent adoption in California. Guaranteed. If you have not yet read about the legal process: requirements, laws, procedures and more, click here to select your county for specialized information about your county.

Stepparent adoptions can be of two types. If the person being adopted is a minor, that is a traditional stepparent adoption and you are in the right place. When you are ready to set up your free Zoom consultation, please complete the Stepparent Adoption Questionnaire. But if the person being adopted is an adult (18+) that is a different legal process called adult adoption. To learn the details of that please click here.

I handle all the adult adoptions (including the stepparent adoption of adults), but I now have a Senior Counsel to take the lead with stepparent cases of minors. About five years ago I brought in my good friend, Allen Hall, a compassionate and skilled attorney and highly experienced litigator. I joke that I don't like him because he is younger than me, better looking, and a better litigator. Technically he is my "of counsel", which means we each have our own independent law practices, but we have chosen to be officially linked. So with that introduction, let me tell you more about Allen...

ABOUT ALLEN HALL

Unlike most attorneys who go straight from college into law school, Allen has had a lot of valuable life experience prior to graduating cum laude from Thomas Jefferson Law School and becoming an attorney. He served in the Air Force, then was a police officer for ten years before being injured in the line of duty and forced to retire.

Allen is not like most attorneys who never actually go to court and just live behind their desks and doing all their work on their computer and the phone. He is an experienced litigator who has chocked up hundreds of litigated cases, many of them "abandonment" stepparent adoption cases against the absent parent. Few attorneys have experience in this area. Please check out his 80+ (100%) 5-star reviews across Google, Yelp and Avvo. (You can also scroll down to the bottom of this page and see recent reviews.)

Allen is married and is the father of three children. His daughter has followed the family tradition of Allen and his wife and is serving in the US Armed Forces. When not practicing law, Allen is active in his church and likes to coach youth sports.

Randy and Allen do a combined 150 stepparent adoptions a year (minor and adult), which likely places them as the most-selected attorneys for stepparent adoption in California. A handful of recent reviews for Randy and Allen are below.

HOW TO CHOOSE A STEPPARENT ADOPTION ATTORNEY

Here are five basic suggestions:

Don't be fooled by plaques on the wall or organization memberships. Normally these are just "bought credibility." Look at how many stepparent adoption cases the attorney has actually done. Lawyers are as specialized as doctors. You would not hire a pediatrician to do your heart surgery. The same is often true with general family law attorneys who spend almost all their time on divorce and child custody, not adoption.
Check out their reviews on the usual places: Google & Avvo for sure, but also Lawyers.com, Mardindale.com, the BBB. Don't stop at seeing the five-star average. Read what actual people had to say about not just their services but their personality.
Do they charge you hourly or a flat-fee? Attorneys typically charge $350-$450 an hour, so this issue is critical. Even an extra three hours of time means an extra $1,000+ for you. Many attorneys will ask for a low retainer fee with "This will likely be enough." But then, "Problems cropped up," or "Things took longer than expected." Your retainer fee might end up being the tip of the iceberg. If an attorney says he or she is almost sure it will not exceed the initial retainer amount for a standard stepparent adoption, then have them put their money where their mouth is and instead give you a flat fee, guaranteeing one pre-set fee for certain services.
Carefully read the attorney's retainer or fee agreement. Many have 6-10 page retainers with tiny type and written in a way that you can't understand. And what little you can decipher seems to just protect the attorney against claims by the client, not to serve you. Look for an attorney who has a reasonably short and easy to understand retainer or fee agreement.
Inquire about a free consultation. But if you get one, be cautious if you came away with no real details about exactly how stepparent adoption works, what are the possible risks in your case, and what the law says about those potential problems and the cost to handle them. If the attorney is just using the free consultation as a Meet and Greet, consult with another attorney who gives you a real consultation, then decide which of them can likely represent you best.

What is next for you? Choose your options below:

Choose San Diego, Orange, Riverside or San Bernardino step parent adoption button

Stepparent Adoption Center legal fees button

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REVIEWS

Randy's Client Reviews
(For the most recent, 190+ reviews, visit Avvo.com)

Randall Hicks should be everyone's adoption lawyer!
Posted by Scott, February 11, 2026

I had the great pleasure of working with Randy on the recent adoption of my daughter. He was and is absolutely fantastic.

Randy took care of everything
January 31, 2026

Randy took care of everything and made the whole process effortless... I really enjoyed how smooth and easy it all was!

Exceptional Guidance and Genuine Care Throughout Our Adult Adoption
Posted by Vicky, January 23, 2026

We had an outstanding experience working with Randy on our son’s adult adoption. From the start, he was incredibly thorough — walking us through each step, explaining what to expect, and making sure we felt informed and comfortable throughout the process... What truly set him apart was his genuine kindness. Even after the adoption was finalized, he followed up to ensure we had everything we needed. It’s rare to find someone who blends expertise, professionalism, clarity, and compassion so seamlessly.

Excellent Adoption Attorney
Posted by James, January 20, 2026

We hired Randall Hicks after our initial consultation, and all of the positive reviews we had read were absolutely accurate. He is focused, professional, kind, and an excellent communicator. The entire adoption process unfolded exactly as he explained during that first meeting, with no surprises. We couldn’t be happier with the outcome.

Professional, Precise, and Completely Stress-Free
Posted January 13, 2026

I completed an adult adoption that was finalized in early January, 2026, and I cannot recommend this attorney highly enough... This was, without question, one of the most pain-free legal experiences I’ve ever had. He was consistently professional, responsive, punctual, and reassuring throughout. He is exactly as advertised — and, honestly, better.

Professional and Great Communications!
Posted by Brian, December 8, 2025

Great communications and professional during the entire process. I would recommend Mr. Hicks to anyone that requires his services.

When it comes to adoption, Randy Hicks is simply the best!
Posted by Alberto, October 15, 2025

Randy is sweet, extremely knowledgeable, patient, persistent and follows through. We had no idea how to navigate this process and he walked us through it and held our hand oh so gently... We could not give him higher praise.

Allen's Client Reviews
(For the most recent reviews, visit Google)

By Alexis
January, 2026

We looked for adoption lawyers and came across the page of Allen R. Hall. Once we contacted him, he was very communicative and very informative... I would recommend Allen R. Hall to anyone looking for an adoption lawyer. Thank you, Allen, for making the process stress-free.

By Alex (Google local guide)
November 2025

Allen Hall was incredibly professional and responsive as our attorney. He handled our step parent adoption case with so much care and compassion. It was a true pleasure to work with him and his team. We are so happy he helped officially unite our family. Thanks a lot Allen!

By Jennifer (Google local guide)
October, 2025

Allen made what could have been a stressful process feel simple and seamless. They were patient, attentive, and always took the time to answer my questions so I felt comfortable and informed. What stood out most was their kindness and genuine care. It never felt like just business. I am truly grateful for the peace of mind they gave me and would recommend them to anyone looking for not only a skilled attorney but also someone who sincerely cares about their clients.

By Nicholas
September, 2025

Working with Allen was wonderful. He was knowledgeable, honest about what we needed and how everything would work out every step of the way and the result of working with Allen in ten months, made everything my family has been hoping for for the last 12 years. Thank you Allen!

By Tina (Google local guide)
June, 2025

5 stars - A truly exceptional adoption experience with Allen and his team! We cannot recommend Allen highly enough to anyone considering adoption. From our very first meeting, Allen guided us step by step through what we anticipated would be a complex process, making it incredibly quick and easy. His clear explanations and proactive approach truly set our minds at ease.
What truly set Allen apart was his ability to remain calm and step in to help our family whenever anything came up that was out of our control. There were moments of uncertainty, but Allen's professionalism, confidence, and unwavering support ensured we never felt alone. He always had our backs, no matter what was thrown our way. We are extremely grateful for his help and support throughout the entire journey.

By Amber (Google local guide)
April, 2025

Allen Hall and his team made our adoption process so easy. Even though it was a longer process due to extra paperwork, they made it so we didn't have to stress out or worry at all about getting everything done. Thank you all for helping us through this amazing process

4025 Camino Del Rio S, #300
San Diego, CA 92108
Phone: (619) 542-7715

2030 Main St #1300
Irvine, CA 92614
Phone: (949) 260-4707

Click on the office photo above to learn more about stepparent adoptions in your area. When you are ready to schedule a consultation, please complete our short Stepparent Adoption Consultation Questionnaire .