When you think of an adoption, if you are like most people, you probably think of an adult adopting a child. But if you have been adopted as an adult, or know someone who has, you have a more inclusive view.
Here is why more people are opting for adult adoption!
When divorce increased in the U.S. in the 1970’s, the structure and definition of “family” began to change. As more blended families came into being, children had more than two parents.
Additionally, there were parents who were not divorced, but were single parents by choice or by situation.
A stepparent raising a child may desire to become that child’s legal parent but for various reasons, an adoption did not happen when the child was young.
Here are some situations in which adult adoptions may be sought:
- The “child” (I’ll say “adoptee” from now on) had a biological parent who would not agree to the stepparent adoption when the adoptee was a minor;
- The biological parent perhaps would agree, but may have been hurt;
- The biological parent was not safe and was not a good influence and contacting him/her for permission to adopt would have put the child at risk;
- The family realized later in life that they wanted to make the parent-child relationship a legal one as well as an emotional one;
- An adult who is adopted does not need a biological parent’s permission, therefore the process is simpler and less expensive.
An adult adoption is a happy situation for the family because it recognizes the love and affection that have existed for years. We are proud to have been a part of many adult adoptions over the years!
Please see Laura Kalish’s “Guide to Adult Adoption” on AVVO.
