Need help with adopting adult step-daughters

[nthaniel]

Hi,

I live in Texas, but my step-daughters live in California. I am 35 years of age, and my step-daughters are 29 and 18, married. From what I understand of Texas Family Law, I am entitled to adopt them if I obtain, in writing, the agreement of my step-daughters and their husbands. I am at a loss for finding the necessary paperwork, and I, not being a lawyer, have no idea how to draft an Original Petition to Adopt and Adult, nor the Adoption Order, if that is even my responsibility.

Circumstances as they are, my step-daughters cannot afford to come to Texas, at the moment, and my wife and I cannot afford to go to California, considering the house payments and bills involved, along with the cost of filing the necessary paperwork. Is there also a waiver of some kind that will allow my step-daughters not to be present in court during proceedings?

Also, do the forms that show agreement to the adoption (by my step-daughters and their husbands) need to be notarized?

As you can see, I am still plenty naive about certain things, and I would greatly appreciate any help anyone can offer.

Thank you,

Herman

 

[army judge]

What you seek to accomplish might not be possible. Adult adoptions are legal, but rare and difficult to obtain. You need a lawyer.

 

[Proserpina]

I disagree.

Adult adoptions are not so difficult to obtain and they are not so uncommon.

OP, you just need to speak to an adoption attorney where the adult kids are located.

(For what its worth I just watched a relative complete this for about $2000, in California, without any hassle or difficulty whatsoever).