My son want his stepfather to adopt him

**dougdenise** · 02-07-2007, 11:28 PM

My son is now 18 years old and he asked his stepfather to adopt him. My son doesn't currently have a relationship with his biological father. The child custody took place in the state of Texas. I need to know does my son need his biological father's permission even if he is an adult. We don't possess a lot of money since we are a blended family so can we file this without hiring an attorney? And if no, does anyone know how much something like this would cost?

**aaron** · 02-09-2007, 02:14 PM

It shouldn't be a problem, assuming you can figure out how to get the paperwork filed in proper order.

Quoting "Texas Family Code - Adoption - Adoption of an Adult

Sec. 162.501. ADOPTION OF ADULT.

The court may grant the petition of an adult residing in this state to adopt another adult according to this subchapter.

Sec. 162.502. JURISDICTION.

The petitioner shall file a suit to adopt an adult in the district court or a statutory county court granted jurisdiction in family law cases and proceedings by Chapter 25, Government Code, in the county of the petitioner ’s residence.

Sec. 162.503. REQUIREMENTS OF PETITION.

(a) A petition to adopt an adult shall be entitled "In the Interest of __________, An Adult."

(b) If the petitioner is married, both spouses must join in the petition for adoption. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995. Sec. 162.504. CONSENT. A court may not grant an adoption unless the adult consents in writing to be adopted by the petitioner.

Sec. 162.505. ATTENDANCE REQUIRED.

The petitioner and the adult to be adopted must attend the hearing. For good cause shown, the court may waive this requirement, by written order, if the petitioner or adult to be adopted is unable to attend.

Sec. 162.506. ADOPTION ORDER.

(a) The court shall grant the adoption if the court finds that the requirements for adoption of an adult are met.

(b) Notwithstanding that both spouses have joined in a petition for the adoption of an adult as required by Section 162.503(b), the court may grant the adoption of the adult to both 22 spouses or, on request of the spouses, to only one spouse.

Sec. 162.507. EFFECT OF ADOPTION.

(a) The adopted adult is the son or daughter of the adoptive parents for all purposes. (b) The adopted adult is entitled to inherit from and through the adopted adult ’s adoptive parents as though the adopted adult were the biological child of the adoptive parents. (c) The adopted adult may not inherit from or through the adult ’s biological parent. A biological parent may not inherit from or through an adopted adult.