If I’ve had sole custody of my 8-year-old niece for the past 6 years, what I can do to adopt her so this matter can finally be put to rest?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
If I’ve had sole custody of my 8-year-old niece for the past 6 years, what I can do to adopt her so this matter can finally be put to rest?
I have not received any support from either of her parents. There is currently a custody order in place between myself and my sister naming me as the primary custodian for my niece. The 2 year period for this custody order is coming up in February and my sister is still not fit to care for her own child. She does not have a place to live and does not have any care set up for my niece.
Asked on January 8, 2013 under Family Law, Maryland
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Under the laws of all states in this order in order to adopt your niece one or both parents (biological) must sign an adoption agreement subject to a court order approving the adoption where you would be the adoptive parent. Unless one or both of the parents sign such a document you cannot adopt the minor.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.