Florida Statutes, Chapter 63details the Rules for Florida Family Adoptions. Chapter 751 covers Temporary or Concurrent Custody of minor children. Family Court is a separate Court within the Civil Court system.
Florida Family Adoptions are Permanent
Florida Family Adoptions are permanent, and involve the termination of Parental rights, as well as obligations. Chapter 63 presumes that all parties to a Florida Family Adoption are in agreement. Relative Adoptions are defined as family members within 3 steps of blood relation. This includes Grandparents, Great Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Sisters, and Brothers. And, though the circumstances that lead to a Relative Adoption are usually sad, the outcome is typically a happy occasion.
Stepparent adoptions allows for a spouse to legally adopt the biological child of the other spouse, keeping in mind the presumption under Chapter 63 that all parties are in agreement. Initially, the parent being asked to give up their rights is often resistant, until they are also made aware that Adoption also relieves them of their obligations, including child support. Adult adoptions are similar to Stepparent Adoptions, but in this case, the adopted “child” is actually an adult, over 18 years of age. And, while it was likely never the intention of the Florida Legislature to advance a law that benefits the LGBT community, Chapter 751 offers a pathway to Same-sex Marriage adoptions for the biological child of one parent. Our rate for a Florida Family Adoption is $499. Questions? Contact us today.
Temporary alternatives are available
A non-permanent alternative is Temporary or Concurrent Custody by an extended family member. Custody eligibility includes family members within 3 steps of relation by marriage, so the Relatives list shown above expands to include in-laws. Therefore, the potential pool for Custody is much greater than it is for adoption. Quite often, a military deployment is what leads extended family to seek this alternative to adoption. The custodial parent is able to enroll the child in school, or approve of necessary medical procedures with a doctor. Concurrent Custody typically occurs when a parent and child live with a grandparent. This relationship not only allows the grandparent (or other relative) to enroll the child in school, or approve medical procedures, but there also may be a dependent tax benefit. Our rate for Temporary or Concurrent Custody by an extended family member is $299.
We are not Attorneys. So, If you need Legal Advice, or someone to represent you in Court, you should contact a Family Law Attorney.
Florida Law prohibits a non-Attorney from handling any Adoption not defined as a Florida Family Adoption.
Other members of the FALDP offer additional Family Law services. If you have a particular need please let us know and we will refer you to a member who specializes in the document preparation best suited to your needs.
Please contact us today with any questions.