BASICS OF ALABAMA ADOPTION LAW: RELATIVE ADOPTION
Have you ever wondered if relatives of a child have more rights than others when it comes to the adoption of that child? The following should help explain the way things work in Alabama. [1]
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ADOPTION BY A STEPPARENT OR A CLOSE FAMILY MEMBER AND OTHER ADOPTIONS?
There is usually a lot less formality and fewer requirements when the adoptee is being adopted by a stepparent or close family member.
Unlike all other adoptions, usually no investigations nor accounting of the cost relating to the adoption are required.
The adoptee must have lived with the petitioner for at least one year unless the residency requirement is waived for good cause shown.
CAN GRANDPARENTS OBTAIN VISITATION RIGHTS TO SEE THE ADOPTEE AFTER THE ADOPTION?
Ordinarily the grandparents have no visitation rights with their grandchildren when the natural parents’ rights have been terminated by adoption. However, at the courts’ discretion, the court may allow such visitation rights if the child is adopted by a close relative or a stepparent, provided it is in the child’s best interests.
Article by Corey Colbert
Photo by libertygrace0.
Corey Colbert is a third-year law student at Faulkner University’s Thomas Goode Jones School of Law. Corey is a member of Fannin Road Baptist Church, where he is currently serving as the temporary Music Director. Corey lives in Montgomery.
[1]Information provided by the Alabama Law Institute for Alabama Probate Judges’ Association and Reese McKinney, Jr. Judge of Probate Montgomery County, Alabama.
