ADOPTION BY FAMILY MEMBERS

Florida law recognizes that situations can arise when a child’s biological parents are not the best parents for the child or are not available to actively parent the child.  For this reason the law provides a streamlined process to allow family members to adopt a child in order to establish a permanent parental relationship.  This process is available for step-parents, grandparents, and other extended family members.  An adoption grants parental status to the adopting person, terminates the parental status of the biological parents, and allows the adoptee to change their name.  Although Florida law provides a streamlined process for these types of adoptions, there are still strict procedural requirements that must be fulfilled in order to successfully navigate the process.  Our attorneys can provide consultation regarding the eligibilty requirements for family member adoptions and legal representation to navigate the adoption court process.