Can You Adopt An Adult

The question of can you adopt an adult is a burning question for many people. Indeed, most persons would adopt a baby, toddler, or young child, but some cases deal with adulthood. Well, the answer is yes, you can adopt an adult.

Adopting an adult is less complicated than that of a child. The only primary requirement for this process is the consent of both sides. One thing to note is that the consensus of the U.S. is limited as some states have their separate stipulations.

It is vital to understand that you may not use a one-size-fits-all approach with adoptions. Since some states require specific conditions, it would be better to which states allow what. That would be the next thing to inquire about if you want to adopt an adult.

Does Your Age Matter When Adopting An Adult?

Some states have stipulations regarding age, so yes, age does matter. Here are some states that have no age restrictions: Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, and Maine.

Other states include Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, and New Hampshire. 

New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee are also part of that list of states with no age requirements.

The last group of states is Texas, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia. These are your go-to states if you want to adopt without age restrictions.

Colorado, Rhode Island, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands have different laws and allow adults 18 to 21 years to be adopted.

Massachusetts, Nevada, Virginia, and Utah only allow persons to adopt adults younger than them. Nevada and Utah prefer an age gap of 10 years and Virginia 15 years.

What Are The Regulations For Adopting An adult?

Most states have some regulations for adopting an adult, and they vary by some of them. You have already seen that age is a regulation, but here are some others to note.

Another regulation is residency, West Virginia and Wisconsin only allow persons to adopt if they are residents of their states. Idaho, Illinois, South Dakota, and Virginia only allow adoption if the two parties have already been in a parental relationship.

In Ohio, there must be some former relationship between the parties to adopt an adult. The adult should have a relationship with the person while a minor or the parents of that said child. The only other option is that the person is disabled.

You probably realize by now that adopting an adult can still have some level of difficulty. The American system works on the federal and state level for various reasons. 

This statement means that though it is generally easy to adopt an adult if they consent, some states may have an issue. There are several reasons for these stipulations, as human trafficking and other issues are a big problem in the U.S. and other places.

It would help if you did a thorough check of each state to know what you may require. Failure to do so can result in frustration on your part.

What Are The Costs Involved In Adopting An Adult?

Adopting an adult is way cheaper than adopting a child. The average cost of this process is $800, but the price can vary as lawyer fees can exceed $1000. Some expenses can be as low as $100; it all depends on the type of adoption.

If the process involves kinship or a stepparent, it could be $100. Most of the expenses are for the lawyer, who could charge by the hour or give you a flat rate. Some lawyers may charge $200 to $300 for their services.

The cheapest cost to adopt an adult is what happens during the process. If no one contests your desire to adopt an adult, it can be a quick and cheap process.

Adoption requirements involve much more complex and dire situations. This type of adult adoption carries the tag of inheritance from your new parents. If you have children or family members who know of your desire, it could start a legal battle.

This adoption is a method often practiced by persons to pass their inheritance to another person. This type of adoption costs way more than the one previously mentioned. The costs could reach thousands of dollars.

How Long Does It Take To Adopt An Adult?

The adoption process for an adult can be short or long, depending on the situation involved. If the person has a good relationship with the person to be adopted, it could happen in weeks or a few months. 

A good relationship constitutes a stepparent, kinship, or close family friend while the adult was young. The standard time can be 60 to 90 days.

If you are diligent with your filing time, the process can be fast. It may also be due to how busy the court you are filing to is at the time. Also vital is the relationship between the adoptee, adopter, and lawyer, who must work together.

Can You Adopt An International Adult?

Yes, you can adopt an international adult, but you must meet specific requirements. The adoptee will have rights to any inheritance, but the citizenship won’t benefit the adopter.

The adoption process would be the same as with children; the adopter will have to visit the country of origin before adopting the adult. They will also have to pay any costs associated with the adoption. We shared those costs earlier for reference. 

Since adult adoption by international adopters isn’t common, you may need to inquire with an agency for more on the actual costs to adopt. I believe the costs may be more than local but less than adopting a child.

I hope your can you adopt an adult question was answered, and you have enough information to help you decide what direction you will take. The adoption process is very complicated; after all, we are dealing with the livelihood of persons. This decision is a step that needs commitment regardless of the challenges you face, so be willing to sacrifice.