Adopting an Adult in Florida

Yes, you can adopt an adult in Florida! Not all adoptions involve young children. If you share a deep bond with an adult who isn’t legally recognized as your child, adult adoption can help you officially make them part of your family.

Below, we’ll walk you through the process and answer common questions. Ready to solidify your parent-child relationship? Bryan McLachlan is here to help. Contact Bryan at (727) 398-0086 today to learn more about adopting an adult you love.

Why Pursue an Adult Adoption?

Adult adoption is a meaningful way to honor and solidify the bond you already share. For many, it’s more than just paperwork. It’s about belonging, recognition and creating a lasting sense of security.

Some common reasons for adopting an adult in Florida include:

Ensuring legal recognition: Adoption can provide peace of mind by securing inheritance rights, medical decision-making authority and other protections.
Fulfilling an unbreakable bond: A former foster child who aged out of the system may still see their foster parents as mom and dad. Adoption allows that love to be officially recognized.
Honoring years of love and care: A stepparent who raised their spouse’s child may wish to make their parent-child relationship legally official, no matter how many years have passed.

While adult adoption in Florida offers practical benefits, its emotional significance is just as powerful. The process affirms what’s already true in your heart — this person is family.

How to Adopt an Adult in Florida

Adopting an adult in Florida is a simplified process. This is primarily because the adoptee can consent to the adoption, and there’s no need to complete a home study or terminate parental rights.

Bryan McLachlan can guide you through each step of the process, ensuring everything is handled correctly and efficiently. Here’s what you can expect:

Step 1: File the Adoption Petition With the Court. Your adoption attorney will help you get the process started by submitting your Florida adult adoption forms to the correct local court.
Step 2: Sign the Adoption Consent Forms. Your attorney will ensure that both you and the adoptee complete and sign the necessary consent forms, as required by Florida law.
Step 3: Finalize the Adoption in Court. Your attorney will guide you through the court hearing, where a Florida judge will review your case and approve the adoption.
Step 4: Update Legal Documents. After the adoption is finalized, your attorney can help you request an amended birth certificate, assist the adoptee with a legal name change and update your will or other legal documents as needed.

Should I Use an Attorney for Adult Adoption?

While adult adoption in Florida is simpler than adopting a minor, it still requires careful legal steps to ensure everything is done correctly. An adult adoption attorney can guide you through the process, handle the necessary paperwork and represent you in court. This can help you avoid unnecessary delays or complications.

With Bryan’s help, you can formally recognize the parent-child relationship you already share and gain the legal protections that come with it. Contact Bryan today to learn more about adult adoption and how making your bond official can benefit you and your loved one.

Understanding Florida Adult Adoption Law [What You Need to Know]

Are you wondering, “Can I adopt someone over 18?” The answer is yes! In the state of Florida, any adult over the age of 18 can be adopted as long as they formally consent.

So who is eligible to adopt an adult in the state of Florida?

Any single adult can petition to adopt an adult.
Married couples must petition jointly.
LGBTQ+ couples and stepparents can adopt their spouse’s child — either through stepparent adoption (if they’re under 18) or an adult adoption (if they’re 18 or older).

Unlike many other states, Florida does not have a specific age requirement for adopting an adult. Additionally, there is no residency requirement for adult adoption.

What Are the Biggest Benefits of Adopting an Adult?

Adult adoption offers important practical advantages that can make life easier for both the adoptive parents and the adoptee. Some of the key benefits of adult adoption in Florida include:

Legal inheritance rights for the adoptee
Access to certain Social Security and pension benefits
The ability to make emergency medical decisions and visit each other in the hospital as legal family
The right to share important legal and medical information
An easier process for changing the adoptee’s last name, if desired
Official confirmation of your bond as parent and child
The freedom to drop labels like “step-” or “foster” and simply be family

In Bryan’s experience, while these practical benefits are important, the greatest reward is often the emotional significance of having your bond recognized in the eyes of the law.

Adult Adoption in Florida FAQ

1. Do the biological parents need to consent to an adult adoption?

No, biological parents do not need to consent to an adult adoption in Florida. Since the adoptee is legally an adult, they only need to give their own consent for the adoption to proceed. However, Florida law requires that the adoptee’s biological parents be notified of the adoption if they are still living.

2. Can a former foster parent adopt an adult?

Yes! Many former foster parents choose to adopt an adult who was once in their care, especially if they’ve maintained a strong parent-child bond. This formalizes the relationship and grants legal recognition.

3. How long does the adult adoption process take in Florida?

The process is much faster than minor adoption since no home study or background check is required. Once the adoption petition is filed, the final court hearing typically takes place within a few months.

4. Does adult adoption affect inheritance rights?

Yes, the adoptee gains the same legal inheritance rights as a biological child under Florida law. This can be important for estate planning, ensuring the adoptee is legally recognized as a family member.

5. Can an adopted adult change their last name?

Yes. As part of the adoption process, the adoptee can choose to change their last name to match their adoptive family’s name. However, this is completely optional.