Adoption Attorney Advice for Grandparents

Attorney advice for grandparent adoption can change the way you see the situation. The closer you look at some things, the more complex they seem. For grandparents wanting to adopt in Alabama, the story is similar.

First, a grandparent can adopt their grandchild if they are single-unmarried.

Second, a grandparent can adopt if they are married and both husband and wife join in the petition to adopt.

Third, a grandparent and their unmarried cohabiter/paramour cannot adopt the grandchild.

Fourth, a polyamorous group of more than two individuals cannot adopt a grandchild. (I know, you never heard of such a thing when you were a parent, but now the law forbids it. That’s a relief, right?)

Isn’t this obvious

This also probably seems obvious, but the law says it, so I’ll pass it along … the adopting grandparent has to be more than 10 years older than the adoptee. Except, wait … no that doesn’t apply for grandparents.

While we are on the topic, it’s interesting to note that the adoption code prohibits certain kinds of discrimination. That includes discrimination against a petitioner for working outside the home, being unmarried, or being of a certain age. 

Let’s make it simple

And there you have it. Those are all the persons who can and cannot successfully pursue a grandparent adoption in Alabama. While the story seems initially complex, upon further examination, it’s quite simple:

• A grandparent who is single and unmarried can adopt, and
• Grandparents who are married can adopt together.

The end.

Grandparent adoptions can be complex. Attorney advice can help to simplify and navigate the issues.

Attorney advice grandparent adoption.