It’s common knowledge that an 18-year-old is a legal adult, which gives them the opportunity to vote and join the army, but it also makes them old enough to adopt a child in the state of California.
Adoption laws vary from state to state, but generally, the parents of the child or the adoption agency will want you to pass a psychological evaluation before letting you adopt their child. There may also be a household visit where a social worker will walk through your home to ensure that it is safe for children.
It should also be noted that adoptions can be very costly. Since the average cost of adoption can fall between $25,000 and $50,000, it’s not recommended that 18-year-olds take on this endeavor, even if they’re of legal age.
Some people at the age of 18 may be asking if they can adopt a younger sibling to get them out of a precarious situation if either parent is unfit for the job. In California, the adopting person must be at least 10 years older than the person they are adopting, so this option is not available if you want to adopt a younger sibling in California.
If you are looking to adopt a child from another country, the requirements are a bit different. Prospective adoptive parents must meet more eligibility requirements. Parents who want to adopt a child from overseas must meet the requirements of the following:
- The country they are adopting from
- United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- Their respective state laws
It’s possible that you will be able to adopt someone closer to your age than ten years if you are 18 and looking to adopt.
Can an Adult Adopt Another Adult?
In some situations, older adults may want to adopt other adults that may have mental or developmental disabilities in order to keep them safe. Other situations involve adopting for estate planning purposes and to solidify a parent-child relationship when adopting a step child.
California’s requirements for adult adoptions are less strict than adoptions for underage children. California has the following requirements:
- The adopting parent must be older than the adult they are adopting.
- If the younger adult is married, they must obtain permission from their spouse before an older adult may adopt them.
- If the older adult is married, they must obtain permission from their spouse to adopt the younger adult.
Hiring a Probate Attorney for The Adoption Process
The adoption process can be very complicated and stressful. That’s why so many choose to hire a family law attorney in Los Angeles to help expedite the process. The Law Offices of Nigel Burns is comprised of family attorneys who are committed to helping our clients through civil litigation. Contact our office if you need assistance with the adoption process.
