Stepparent & Adult Adoption Facts Every Family Should Know

Understand the real costs, timelines, and requirements before you start — in plain English, from a program that has helped over 25,000 families.

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Flat $325 for one child, $95 for each additional child.
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Most families complete their adoption without an attorney.
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Documents usually ready in about 24 hours; courts typically finalize minor adoptions in about 3 months.
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We’ve helped families save an estimated $100+ million in legal fees.

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Court-Ready Documents • Flat $325 • 100% Court-Acceptance Guarantee

Adoption Facts at a Glance

Fact 1: Flat, Affordable Cost

Our program is $325 for one child and only $95 for each additional child.
Most families budget an additional $300–$500 for court-related costs like filing fees,
background checks, and serving the other parent.

Fact 2: An Attorney Is Usually Not Required

In most straightforward stepparent and adult adoptions, families are allowed to represent themselves.
We prepare your state- and county-specific documents so you can complete the process
without paying $3,000–$5,000+ in attorney fees.

Fact 3: Realistic Timelines

We typically prepare your documents within about 24 hours after you submit your questionnaire.
Once filed, most stepparent adoptions for minors are finalized in about three months, and many
adult adoptions are completed in 3–6 weeks, depending on your state and judge.

Fact 4: We Cover All 50 States

Our forms are tailored to the specific state and county where you’ll file. Each packet is
custom-prepared for your family’s situation and your local court requirements.

Fact 5: Most Families Don’t Have Consent

The majority of adoptions we help with are completed without the other parent signing a consent.
Courts can terminate parental rights based on abandonment or other state-specific grounds. We include the
documents you need to move forward.

Fact 6: Court-Acceptance Guarantee

We provide a 100% court-acceptance guarantee. If your court requires changes, we update your
documents at no extra charge. If the court will not accept our paperwork because of something we did, we refund
your program fee.

Important Facts About Stepparent Adoption

Fact 7: Adoption Gives Your Child Legal and Emotional Security

When one biological parent has abandoned or fallen out of contact, children are often left with questions and
emotional scars. Stepparent adoption:

Creates a legally secure parent-child relationship with the stepparent.
Often allows the child to take the family last name, strengthening unity and belonging.
Provides important legal protections for inheritance, medical decisions, and more.

Fact 8: You Can Often Adopt Without the Other Parent Signing

Many families believe they can’t adopt unless the other biological parent signs a consent. In reality, most of the
adoptions we help complete are when the other parent does not sign. Courts can terminate parental
rights based on:

Abandonment – usually a period of no meaningful contact or support.
Failure to support or long-term lack of involvement.
Other state-specific grounds that show adoption is in the child’s best interest.

We include the correct documents and instructions based on your state’s rules, including how to serve the other
parent in person or by publication if their whereabouts are unknown.

Fact 9: Courts Want Two Safe, Stable Parents

Requirements vary by state, but most stepparent adoptions involve some combination of:

Residency – that the child and stepparent have lived in the state (or home) for a minimum period.
Consent or grounds to terminate rights for the other parent.
Background check for the adopting stepparent to ensure no serious crimes against children.
Home study in some states, which may be waived in others.

If your state allows a home study waiver, we include the request for waiver. If a home study is required, we explain
what to expect and how much it typically costs.

Important Facts About Adult Adoption

Fact 10: Adult Adoption Legally Confirms a Relationship You Already Have

Adult adoption is often used to:

Honor a long-standing parent-child bond that began in childhood.
Ensure inheritance rights and legal next-of-kin status.
Allow the adult child to take the family name while updating their birth certificate.

Fact 11: Adult Adoptions Are Usually Simpler

Because the adoptee is an adult, many of the issues that make minor adoptions complicated (like consent from the other
parent and home studies) often don’t apply. In many states:

Only the adult being adopted needs to consent.
A home study is usually not required.
The process can often be completed in about 3–6 weeks, depending on the court.

Fact 12: Name Change Is Optional

Adult adoptees can choose whether to change their name. Some keep their current name and only change their
maiden name on the new birth certificate. Our questionnaire lets you tell us exactly how you want
the name to appear.

How Our $325 Program Fits Into These Facts

Every adoption is unique, but the paperwork and court steps can feel very similar from family to family. Our job is to
handle the part that feels overwhelming: getting the legal documents exactly right.

We prepare custom, court-ready adoption documents for your state and county.
We design your forms around your specific situation, whether the other parent is signing, missing, incarcerated, or unknown.
We send your packet ready to sign, notarize, and file, with step-by-step instructions.
We stay with you through the process, answering questions so you’re never left wondering what to do next.
Our program has helped tens of thousands of families complete their adoptions and save an estimated
$100+ million in legal fees.

You handle the court appearances and local steps; we handle the heavy lifting on the legal paperwork and guidance.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If these adoption facts match what you’re hoping to do for your family, our team is ready to help you get started.
We’ll prepare your court-ready documents, guide you through the process, and stay with you until your adoption is finalized.