Posted: 5/9/2011 3:14:28 PM EDT
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I know someone who had their mom die when they were three and their dad was put in prison. Dad signed away rights to them and their aunt and uncle raised them from age three. They never adopted, but they were the legal guardian. The aunt and uncle are getting old now and my friend is worried about the legal implications of knowing them as mom and dad, but they are really aunt and uncle. What would the process look like for my friend to be adopted by them at an age of over 18? Is it possible? Is it cheap? |
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I know someone who had their mom die when they were three and their dad was put in prison. Dad signed away rights to them and their aunt and uncle raised them from age three. They never adopted, but they were the legal guardian. The aunt and uncle are getting old now and my friend is worried about the legal implications of knowing them as mom and dad, but they are really aunt and uncle. What would the process look like for my friend to be adopted by them at an age of over 18? Is it possible? Is it cheap? Did you say the " children " are 18 ? You can't adopt someone who is 18, if thats what you are asking. |
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I know someone who had their mom die when they were three and their dad was put in prison. Dad signed away rights to them and their aunt and uncle raised them from age three. They never adopted, but they were the legal guardian. The aunt and uncle are getting old now and my friend is worried about the legal implications of knowing them as mom and dad, but they are really aunt and uncle. What would the process look like for my friend to be adopted by them at an age of over 18? Is it possible? Is it cheap? Did you say the " children " are 18 ? You can't adopt someone who is 18, if thats what you are asking. I've seen otherwise - I think the legal age to adopt is up to 21. Silly if you ask me because you're an adult at 18. |
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... my friend is worried about the legal implications of knowing them as mom and dad, but they are really aunt and uncle... What legal implications are your friend worried about ? If it is about transfer of their estate adoption may not be the best way to handle that issue. A properly drafted will or trust may do that in a better way. Can a power of attorney allow your friend to make medical and financial decisions even if not their "child" ? Do the aunt and uncle have biological children that would contest your friend receiving part of the estate or making decisions about them ? Sounds like your friend needs to talk to an experienced estate planner and/or attorney. |
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I know someone who had their mom die when they were three and their dad was put in prison. Dad signed away rights to them and their aunt and uncle raised them from age three. They never adopted, but they were the legal guardian. The aunt and uncle are getting old now and my friend is worried about the legal implications of knowing them as mom and dad, but they are really aunt and uncle. What would the process look like for my friend to be adopted by them at an age of over 18? Is it possible? Is it cheap? Did you say the " children " are 18 ? You can't adopt someone who is 18, if thats what you are asking. I've seen otherwise - I think the legal age to adopt is up to 21. Silly if you ask me because you're an adult at 18. Wow seriously? The problem though is that " adoption " is meaningless, other than to the family. This is of course just fine, but theres got to be some expense involved and would seem a bit unnecessary. |
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I know someone who had their mom die when they were three and their dad was put in prison. Dad signed away rights to them and their aunt and uncle raised them from age three. They never adopted, but they were the legal guardian. The aunt and uncle are getting old now and my friend is worried about the legal implications of knowing them as mom and dad, but they are really aunt and uncle. What would the process look like for my friend to be adopted by them at an age of over 18? Is it possible? Is it cheap? Did you say the " children " are 18 ? You can't adopt someone who is 18, if thats what you are asking. I've seen otherwise - I think the legal age to adopt is up to 21. Silly if you ask me because you're an adult at 18. Wow seriously? The problem though is that " adoption " is meaningless, other than to the family. This is of course just fine, but theres got to be some expense involved and would seem a bit unnecessary. No, a person 18 or over cannot be officially adopted. Title 5 chapter 162 of the Texas Family Code sets out who may be adopted, and that is a CHILD. CHILD is defined in Title 5, chapter 101, as a person under 18 years of age who is not and has not been married or who has not had the disabilities of minority removed for general purposes. |
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I know someone who had their mom die when they were three and their dad was put in prison. Dad signed away rights to them and their aunt and uncle raised them from age three. They never adopted, but they were the legal guardian. The aunt and uncle are getting old now and my friend is worried about the legal implications of knowing them as mom and dad, but they are really aunt and uncle. What would the process look like for my friend to be adopted by them at an age of over 18? Is it possible? Is it cheap? Did you say the " children " are 18 ? You can't adopt someone who is 18, if thats what you are asking. I've seen otherwise - I think the legal age to adopt is up to 21. Silly if you ask me because you're an adult at 18. Wow seriously? The problem though is that " adoption " is meaningless, other than to the family. This is of course just fine, but theres got to be some expense involved and would seem a bit unnecessary. No, a person 18 or over cannot be officially adopted. Title 5 chapter 162 of the Texas Family Code sets out who may be adopted, and that is a CHILD. CHILD is defined in Title 5, chapter 101, as a person under 18 years of age who is not and has not been married or who has not had the disabilities of minority removed for general purposes. Guess my in-laws have been lying to me for about 20 years. FIL told us he adopted step-SIL after she turned 18 which I thought could not happen. Claimed she wanted a legal name change from her real father but I guess one could do this without the adoption process. Glad TI was able to clear up. SO, is there such a thing as unofficial adoption? If so, how does this work? |
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I am not sure if you are insinuating the information is wrong because of anectodal information you have, but you can look it up in the family code. I have no dog in this hunt.Quoted:
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I know someone who had their mom die when they were three and their dad was put in prison. Dad signed away rights to them and their aunt and uncle raised them from age three. They never adopted, but they were the legal guardian. The aunt and uncle are getting old now and my friend is worried about the legal implications of knowing them as mom and dad, but they are really aunt and uncle. What would the process look like for my friend to be adopted by them at an age of over 18? Is it possible? Is it cheap? Did you say the " children " are 18 ? You can't adopt someone who is 18, if thats what you are asking. I've seen otherwise - I think the legal age to adopt is up to 21. Silly if you ask me because you're an adult at 18. Wow seriously? The problem though is that " adoption " is meaningless, other than to the family. This is of course just fine, but theres got to be some expense involved and would seem a bit unnecessary. No, a person 18 or over cannot be officially adopted. Title 5 chapter 162 of the Texas Family Code sets out who may be adopted, and that is a CHILD. CHILD is defined in Title 5, chapter 101, as a person under 18 years of age who is not and has not been married or who has not had the disabilities of minority removed for general purposes. Guess my in-laws have been lying to me for about 20 years. FIL told us he adopted step-SIL after she turned 18 which I thought could not happen. Claimed she wanted a legal name change from her real father but I guess one could do this without the adoption process. Glad TI was able to clear up. SO, is there such a thing as unofficial adoption? If so, how does this work? Not really. My wife and I have "adopted" several of my daughter's friends, but there is no place to file such a thing nor is there any legal recognition
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I am not sure if you are insinuating the information is wrong because of anectodal information you have, but you can look it up in the family code. I have no dog in this hunt.Quoted:
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I know someone who had their mom die when they were three and their dad was put in prison. Dad signed away rights to them and their aunt and uncle raised them from age three. They never adopted, but they were the legal guardian. The aunt and uncle are getting old now and my friend is worried about the legal implications of knowing them as mom and dad, but they are really aunt and uncle. What would the process look like for my friend to be adopted by them at an age of over 18? Is it possible? Is it cheap? Did you say the " children " are 18 ? You can't adopt someone who is 18, if thats what you are asking. I've seen otherwise - I think the legal age to adopt is up to 21. Silly if you ask me because you're an adult at 18. Wow seriously? The problem though is that " adoption " is meaningless, other than to the family. This is of course just fine, but theres got to be some expense involved and would seem a bit unnecessary. No, a person 18 or over cannot be officially adopted. Title 5 chapter 162 of the Texas Family Code sets out who may be adopted, and that is a CHILD. CHILD is defined in Title 5, chapter 101, as a person under 18 years of age who is not and has not been married or who has not had the disabilities of minority removed for general purposes. Guess my in-laws have been lying to me for about 20 years. FIL told us he adopted step-SIL after she turned 18 which I thought could not happen. Claimed she wanted a legal name change from her real father but I guess one could do this without the adoption process. Glad TI was able to clear up. SO, is there such a thing as unofficial adoption? If so, how does this work? Not really. My wife and I have "adopted" several of my daughter's friends, but there is no place to file such a thing nor is there any legal recognition
Nope, just saying after almost 20 years of being misinformed, you corrected. Thanks for clarifying. |
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I know someone who had their mom die when they were three and their dad was put in prison. Dad signed away rights to them and their aunt and uncle raised them from age three. They never adopted, but they were the legal guardian. The aunt and uncle are getting old now and my friend is worried about the legal implications of knowing them as mom and dad, but they are really aunt and uncle. What would the process look like for my friend to be adopted by them at an age of over 18? Is it possible? Is it cheap? If he is worried about survivorship issues/benefits/etc, he needs to see an attorney. |
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Quoted: My bar review book says adult adoption is allowed is Texas. I've found a few mistakes in it before so I know it's not the end all but I'm going to look in statute. ETA: Ah yes, check, out Family Code Section 162.501 Adoption of an Adult added in 1995. Interesting....how would one go about this? Yes, my friend is worried about the transfer of the estate. The aunt and uncle's siblings will contest everything since they are immediate family members. |
I don't know. Your best bet would be to find a competent family law attorney. Text of code is ยง 162.501. ADOPTION OF ADULT. The court may grant theI would imagine it shouldn't be too hard with all parties consenting it just requires a petition. If he's worried about transfer of estate another option is to get a suitable will drafted and some estate planning to make sure their wishes are carried out. |
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My bar review book says adult adoption is allowed is Texas. I've found a few mistakes in it before so I know it's not the end all but I'm going to look in statute. ETA: Ah yes, check, out Family Code Section 162.501 Adoption of an Adult added in 1995. Sum bitch.... Look at that color me corrected! |