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We make the adoption process in Wisconsin simple, fast and affordable.
Wisconsin Adoption - $325
Now you can complete your stepparent adoption or adult in Wisconsin without having to pay high attorney fees. We make it possible to file and your own adoption. We never sell "automated" adoption forms, only documents prepared by an experienced adoption specialist. Our experienced Wisconsin adoption team will review your information and prepare adoption papers specifically for your situation.
- Adoption specialist for Wisconsin handles your case.
- Every customer is backed by our 100% Court Acceptance Guarantee.
- We stay with you through the entire process, to help guide you through the Wisconsin adoption process.
- Over 20 years experience filing adoptions in the Wisconsin court system
- 100% Court acceptance in the Wisconsin adoption/Probate Court.
- Fast Process. Submit your order today and file your adoption forms tomorrow.
Information on filing an adoption in Wisconsin.
When we prepare your Wisconsin adoption papers, we will include all the provisions specific to your situation. Documents we prepare for one family will be different than the documents for another family, because circumstances are different. We ensure that your adoption forms are ready to sign and file with the court in Wisconsin. Whether you are filing a stepparent adoption or an adult adoption, we will be able to help you get your adoption finalized.
Wisconsin Stepparent & Adult Adoptions: A Comprehensive Guide
Whether you’re pursuing a stepparent adoption or an adult adoption in the Badger State, understanding Wisconsin’s requirements and procedures is key to a smooth legal process. Below is an overview of essential steps, timelines, and legal references to help you navigate your adoption with confidence.
1. Residency Requirements
- Residency Duration: You (the adopting parent) must typically have lived in Wisconsin for at least six (6) months before filing for adoption, although specific courts may have slightly different standards.
- Where to File: Adoptions in Wisconsin are generally filed in the county circuit court where you or the adoptee resides. Always confirm local filing rules with the clerk of courts in your county.
2. Stepparent Adoption in Wisconsin
A stepparent adoption legally establishes the stepparent as the child’s parent, granting the same rights and responsibilities as a biological parent and typically terminating the absent parent’s rights if that parent has abandoned the child or cannot be located.
2.1. Consent of the Absent Parent
- General Rule: Under Wis. Stat. § 48.41 and § 48.42, both biological or legal parents usually must consent to an adoption.
- Exception—Abandonment: If the absent parent has failed to have meaningful contact or provide support for a set period (commonly 6 months or more), a court may find abandonment and allow the adoption to proceed without that parent’s consent (see Wis. Stat. § 48.415(1)).
- Unknown Whereabouts or Identity: You must show you made a diligent effort to locate the absent parent. If those efforts fail, the court may require publication of notice before moving forward.
2.2. Child’s Consent
- Age Threshold: In many Wisconsin courts, children 12 years of age or older are often asked for their input or consent, though statutes do not always mandate a specific age. Court practices can vary, so check local rules or ask the court about child consent procedures.
2.3. Timeline & Process
- File the Adoption Petition: Submit your documents in the circuit court where you or the child resides.
- Service & Notice: If the other parent’s location is known, they must be formally served. If unknown, follow the court’s procedure for notice by publication.
- Investigation or Home Study: Stepparent adoptions often require less scrutiny, but the court might still request a brief investigation or check to ensure the child’s best interests are met.
- Final Hearing: If uncontested, hearings are typically brief. Stepparent adoptions in Wisconsin can finalize in 3–6 months, depending on court scheduling and complexity.
2.4. New Birth Certificate
Once the adoption is granted, you can apply for a new birth certificate through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records Office. It will reflect the adoptive parent’s name and any name change for the child. The original birth certificate becomes sealed and is only accessible by court order.
3. Adult Adoption in Wisconsin
Adult adoption is a simpler process since there is no need to terminate another parent’s rights. It often serves to formalize a long-standing familial relationship or ensure inheritance rights and other benefits.
3.1. Consent & Process
- Adult’s Consent: The adult adoptee must voluntarily agree to the adoption. Consent from any biological parents is generally not required for adult adoptions.
- Filing: Petitions are typically filed in the circuit court of the county where either the adopting parent or the adult adoptee resides.
3.2. Timeline
- Because adult adoptions face fewer procedural hurdles, they can often be finalized in 45–60 days, assuming all paperwork is correctly prepared and there are no objections.
3.3. Legal Effects
- New Birth Certificate & Name Change: The adult adoptee can obtain an amended birth certificate and choose to change their name. Both are common steps but not mandatory.
- Inheritance & Other Rights: Once finalized, the adoptive parent and adoptee hold the same legal relationship as a biological parent and child.
4. Frequently Asked Questions
- Does the absent parent have to pay child support after the adoption?
- Typically, no. Once the adoption is finalized, the absent parent’s legal rights and obligations— including child support—are terminated unless there’s a specific court order stating otherwise.
- What if the absent parent contests the adoption?
- The court will conduct a hearing to determine if the absent parent truly abandoned or neglected the child and whether the adoption is in the child’s best interests. If abandonment is proven, the adoption can proceed.
- Is a home study mandatory for a stepparent adoption?
- Home studies are less common for stepparent adoptions but may still be required in some cases. Requirements vary by county, so be sure to check local rules.
- Do I need an attorney?
- Many families use professionally prepared documents without hiring an attorney, especially for uncontested cases. However, legal counsel may be helpful if your situation is contested or legally complex.
5. How We Can Help
We specialize in providing professionally prepared, court-ready documents for stepparent and adult adoptions in Wisconsin. Our services include:
- Customized Forms: We tailor every form to your specific case, ensuring compliance with Wisconsin statutes and local rules.
- Guidance Through Filing: We offer step-by-step instructions, from serving notice to finalizing the decree, helping you avoid common mistakes.
- Time & Cost Efficiency: Our approach often saves you significant money compared to traditional legal fees, and we expedite the process as much as possible.
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Wisconsin courts approve our adoption forms. You can file with confidence.
THE ADOPTION PROCESS IN WISCONSIN
The court wants the child to have the unity and security of a two-parent home, and when the absent parent is not active in the child’s life, then the court will do the adoption without the consent of the other parent. If the other parent is willing to sign a consent, that will make the adoption easier, but if the absent parent has abandoned the child, then you can do the adoption without the father’s consent.
Wisconsin Stepparent & Adult Adoption.
You no longer need to spend thousands on an attorney to complete your adoption. We give you the power to complete your own stepparent or adult adoption. We help you through all the stages of the adoption process, until the adoption is finalized and a new birth certificate is issued for the adoptee.
We understand what the courts need in Wisconsin to finalized an adoption, and will make sure that you have everything you need to have your adoption successfully processed and finalized by the court.
To get started, click the buttons our site that says "Start your Adoption". This will take you to our questionnaire which provides our legal department the information needed to complete the legal documents for your Wisconsin adoption.
FACT: The documents we prepare for your family will be different from what we prepare for another family. This is because the adoption forms are prepared specifically for your situation. This is why it is important to put in as much information as possible in our online questionnaire.
Once you submit your order, our team will prepare your Wisconsin adoption forms and send them to you ready to sign and file with the court. Then our support department will stay with you through the entire adoption process.
COMPLETING AN ADOPTION IN WISCONSIN
We have helped thousands of families successfully complete their adoptions. Whether it is a stepparent adoption or adult adoption, we can make it possible for you to complete your adoption without having to pay high attorney fees. No matter your situation, whether the father's identity is unknown, or any other issue, we will be able to help guide you through the adoption process in Wisconsin.
Giving you the power to complete your adoption.
Courts understand that it is in the child's best interest to have two active and legal parents. When one parent is not active in the child's life, the court will do what is best for the child, and approve an adoption, with consent or proper grounds, upon the submission of the proper legal adoption documents.
We have seen every possible situation, and can help all of these families complete the adoption. Whether it is a surrogacy adoption, unknown father, multiple fathers, or deceased parents, we have the experience to help you complete your adoption - Guaranteed!
Don't let the high cost of an attorney stop you from completing your stepparent or adult adoption. You now have a legal and affordable means to complete your adoption and unite your family.
GET STARTED WITH YOUR WISCONSIN ADOPTION
Our online questionnaire provides our legal department with the information we need to prepare you Wisconsin adoption forms. Our experienced Wisconsin adoption team will prepare your filing documents and send them to you ready to sign and file with the court.
SIMPLE 3-STEP PROCESS: Complete the questionnaire, then review and sign your Wisconsin adoption forms, and file with the court. Our step-by-step instructions will help guide you through the process.
Court Experience
With more than 100,000 court document prepared over the past 20 years, we have the experience to make sure your Wisconsin adoption papers are correct.
Low Cost-Only $325
Our Wisconsin adoption department will make sure your documents are ready to file. We will prepare your document right - All for $325 (You will also have a court filing fee that you will pay later to the Court).
Court Guarantee
You can file with confidence, we back every customer with a 100% money-back court acceptance guarantee.
