Florida Statutes Chapter 63 allows for certain types of Adoptions without the necessity of having an Attorney represent you. We call these Florida Family Adoptions. Another measure, which is not permanent, is the Temporary Custody of a minor child by Extended Family. Adoptions are permanent, and they involve the termination of parental rights.

Relative Adoption: The adopting relative must be related to the minor child “by blood within the third degree of consanguinity”. This includes great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and adult siblings. If the adopting relative is married, both spouses must jointly file the petition for adoption, with certain exceptions allowed. The biological parents must consent (if they are alive), although the Court may still allow for the Relative Adoption if grounds exist for the termination of parental rights, and it is in the best interests of the child. The adoptive parents become the legal parents of the minor child as if the child were born to them, and the child gains full inheritance rights from the adoptive parents. The parents gain full legal authority for medical, educational, and financial decisions for the child. Our price for legal document preparation for a Relative Adoption is $599.

Stepparent Adoption: The spouse of a biological child is permitted to legally adopt the minor child of their spouse. Typically, the non-custodial biological parent has not been a part of the child’s life, and consents to the adoption. The Adoption terminates the non-custodial biological parent’s rights, and it also terminates any obligation they have for support. Our price for legal document preparation for a Stepparent Adoption is $399.

Adult Adoption: This is for the adoption of an adult, over the age of 18, who consents to be adopted. If the adult child is married, the adoption requires the consent of their spouse as well. Our price for legal document preparation for an Adult Adoption is $299.

Temporary or Concurrent Custody of a Minor Child by Extended Family: This is a temporary measure for a specified period of time. Quite often we see this done if a parent is incarcerated, or in the military and unable to provide daily care for their minor child. However, there may be any number of reasons why a parent or parents are temporarily unable to provide daily care for their minor child or children. Extended Family is not limited to the “by blood within the third degree of consanguinity” requirement of a Relative Adoption. This allows for relatives such as cousins to have temporary or concurrent custody. You do not even need to be a family member: the Courts will allow temporary custody by “fictive kin”, who are considered as family, but are not related by blood or marriage. Our price for legal document preparation for Temporary or Concurrent Custody by Extended Family is $199.

Please contact us at MyLegalDocs42@gmail.com if you want to order documents, or have any questions.

Disclaimer: Our prices do not include the Court filing fee, which is payable directly to the Clerk, or other costs, such as a summons and service of a summons. We are not Attorneys, and therefore, cannot provide legal advise. If you need legal advice, you must consult with an Attorney. We can provide legal information that is generally available to the public.