AdultAdoption:

CreatingaLifelong FamilyBondandLegal Connection

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SpecialthankstoTheFloridaBarFoundationforitssupport ofalltheworkwedo!AndtoStephenBreuerour2010 FloridaBarFoundationFellowwhopreparedthisguide.

SpecialthankstoTheFloridaBarFoundationforitssupportof alltheworkwedo!AndtoStephenBreuerour2010FloridaBar FoundationFellowwhopreparedthisguide.

Notice: This publication is intended for use as a general reference sourceandisnotmeanttoprovidelegalopinionsoradvice,andisnot asubstitutefortheadviceofcounsel.Wehaveusedourbestefforts in preparing the material in this publication, but we do not warrant that it is complete or accurate and do not assume, and hereby disclaim,anyliabilitytoanypersonforanylossordamagecausedby errorsoromissionsherein.

BasicInformationonAdultAdoptions Basic Information on Adult Adoptions

IThoughtAdoptionWasOnlyForChildren....
Surprise!Floridaandmanyotherstatesallowadultstobe adoptedbyotheradults. Manyyoungpeoplewhospenttimeinstatecareaschildren reallymissnothavingapermanentandlegalconnectionto parents.Ifyouhavedevelopedarelationshipwithacaring adultorcouplewillingtobeyourforeverparentsyoushould consideradultadoption. When Paul H. found out he was going to be a dad, there was one thing he knew for sure. His childneededgrandparents.Paulsauntanduncle hadcaredforhiminjuniorhighandwerewilling toadopthim.Butbecausepriorconvictionsthey were noteligible to adopt a child. They adopted Paul as an adult and now they are terrific grandparents!

WhoHasToAgreeToTheAdoption?
Inadditiontotheadoptiveparentandtheadoptedchild,the husbandorwifeofthepersonwhoisbeingadoptedmust consenttotheadoption.Fla.Stat.63.064(5).Althoughthe courtcangranttheadoptionwithoutthespousesconsentif thespouseisnotavailableorunreasonablywithholds consent.

WillMyNewParentsBeRequiredToTakeCareof Me?
Nope.Parentsaregenerallynotobligatedtofinancially supportorotherwisecareforadultchildren.(Exceptfor somechildrenwithdisabilities).Ifyouarestillyoung enoughtoqualifyforcarorhealthinsuranceunderapar entspolicyyouwillbeeligibleaftertheadoptionthesame asbiologicalchildren.Ifyouradoptiveparentdieswithouta will,youareentitledtothesameinheritanceastheother children.Butparentsdonthavetoleaveanymoney,orthe sameamountofmoneytotheirchildren.

WillWeHavetoGetAHomestudy?
Inmostcases,ahomestudyisnotrequiredforanadult adoption.Fla.Stat.63.092(3).Thatmeansthatsomeone whowantedtoadoptyouasachild,buthadissuesthat wouldntpassahomestudymaybeabletoadoptyouasan adult. Butthecourtcanorderahomestudyforgoodcause shown.Ifsomeoneisconcernedthatthepersonwhowants toadoptyoumighttakeadvantageofyoutheycanaskthe courttoorderahomestudy.

WillILoseMyIndependentLivingBenefitsIfIGet AdoptedBeforeAge21or23?
No!Youreligibilityforbenefitsisestablishedbyyourlegal statusatthetimeyouturn18.Becauseparentsarenot legallyobligatedtosupportadultchildren,thereisnopre sumptionthattheywillsupportyou.Ifyournewparents chosetoprovideyoufinancialsupport,youshouldexpect thattheirsupportwillbeconsideredonanyneedsassess mentyoucomplete.

IAmNotSureAboutChangingMyName....
Youarenotrequiredtochangeyournameinanadult adoption,butyoumayifyouchose.ThePetitionfor Adoptionletsyoudesignatethenameyouwillbeknown byaftertheadoption. Ifyouonlywanttochangeyourname,butnotyourlegalre lationship,youcandothatwithaPetitionforNameChange. (ANameChangePacketisavailableonFloridasChildren Firstswebsite.)

MyParentsRightsWereNotTerminated,CanI StillBeAdopted? Yes,thechoicebelongstoyou.Ifyoudecidetobeadopted

asanadult,youwillhavetoprovidenoticeofthefinalhear ingtoyourlegalparent(s).Fla.Stat.63.062(8)(b).Butthey donothavetoconsenttotheadoptioninorderforitto happen. Theadoptionwillserveasaterminationoftheexisting parentalrights.Thatmeansyouwillnotbeentitledtoany inheritanceorotherbenefitsthatbecomepayabletothe legalchildrenofthatparent.(Althoughifyouarealready receivingabenefitfromSocialSecurityonaparentsrecord, youmightbeabletocontinuereceivingthatbenefitafter youradoption.CheckwithSocialSecurityoralawyertofind outforsure.)

WillIGetANewBirthCertificate?
Ifyoudecidetochangeyourname,youwillneedtoupdate
yourSocialSecuritycard,driverslicense,passportandall otherofficialdocuments. Yes.TheStatewillissueanewbirthcertificatethatnames youradoptiveparent(s)asyourbirthparent(s).

SoundsGreat!WhatDoIDoNext?
GetLegalHelpIfYouCan.
Adoption,likeallotherlegalmattersisbesthandledbya lawyer.Ifyouandyouradoptiveparentcannotaffordanat torney,youcancontactyourlocallegalaidprogramforhelp. FloridaLawHelp.orghasadirectoryoflegalaidprograms aroundthestate. FloridasChildrenFirstmightbeabletohelpyoulocatea lawyerwhowillhandleyouradoptionwithoutcharginga legalfee.ContactusatJFFY@floridaschildrenfirst.orgfor assistance.

WhenYourDocumentsAreReady,YouMustFile ThemWithTheClerkofCourts.
FindtheappropriateclerkofcourtitshouldbetheClerkfor thecountywhereadoptiveparentlives.Contactyourlocal clerkofcourtformorefilinginformation.(seeAppendixD) Youcanobtainwebsiteinformationandphonenumberson eachbygoingto: http://www.flcourts.org/courts/circuit/circuit.shtml TheClerkswebsiteorstaffcantellyouabouttheamountof thefilingfeeandanyotherpaperwork(suchasacivilcover sheet)thatyouwillneedtobringinordertofileyourcase. ThereisafilingfeetofileaPetitionforAdultAdoption.If thepersonadopting(parent)cannotaffordthefee,they canaskforadeterminationofindigency(poverty)anda Waiverofcourtfilingfees. DuringhighschoolNancyP.livedwithhersupervisor and mentor from work as a nonrelative placement. Although her moms parental rights had been terminated, Nancy loved her mother who struggled withmentalillness.Nancydidnotwanttobetrayher motherbygettingadopted.WhenNancywas22,her mother died and the next year she was ready to be adopted.

IfYouCantFindALawyer,YouCanPreparethe DocumentsYourself.
Copiesofthecriticalformsyouneedtofilloutareattached. YoumayalsodownloadtheformsontheFloridaStateCourts websiteat: http://www.flcourts.org/gen_public/family/forms_rules/inde x.shtml#petsup Theadoptingadult(parent)needstocompletethe PetitionforAdultAdoptionandsignthepetitioninthe presenceofanotarypublic.(AppendixA) Theadultbeingadopted(child)mustfilloutthe ConsentofAdultAdopteeformattachedandsignthe forminthepresenceofanotarypublicandtwo witnesses.(AppendixB) Iftheadultbeingadoptedismarried,thenhis/her spousemustfillouttheConsentofAdultAdoptees Spouseformattachedandsigntheforminthepresence ofanotarypublicandtwowitnesses.(AppendixC) Ifyourparent(s)aredeadorhadtheirrightsterminated,you needproofofthatfact: DeathCertificate(orotherproof) CertifiedcopyoftheOrderTerminatingParentalRights. Denise J. went to live with her foster parents at age 16. After that age, her parents rights were terminated, and her foster parents wanted to adopt her.ThecaseworkermistakenlytoldthemthatDenise wouldloseoutonIndependentLivingbenefitsifthey adoptedher.Shelearnedaboutadultadoptionsfrom Florida Youth SHINE and decided she wanted to legallybeapartofthisfamily.Herfosterparentsare excitedtobeabletoformallyadopther.

SetthePetitionForHearingAndNotifyParents WithExistingRights.
OncetheClerkacceptsyourpaperworkandfilingfee,your casewillbeassignedtoajudge.Theclerkcanprovideyou contactinformationtoreachthejudgesJudicialAssistant (JA).YoumustasktheJAtosetyourpetitionforadoption forahearing.Ifyoudonotaskforahearing,nothingwill happeninyourcase. Ifyourparentsstillhaveparentalrights,youmustservethem withacopyofthenoticeofhearingsothattheyknowyou areintendingtobeadopted,andwhereandwhenthe hearingissupposedtotakeplace.TheClerksOfficecanhelp yougettheappropriateforms Ifyoudonotprovidetheproofthattheywereserved,the courtwillnotapprovetheadoptionpetition.

UpdateYourBirthCertificate&OtherDocuments
SeedirectionsinAppendixFandinFCFsNameChange packetforobtaininganewbirthcertificateandupdating otherlegaldocumentslikedriverslicenseandSocial Securitycard.Boththeadoptiveparentandadult adopteeshouldupdatetheirwills,insurancepolicies, advancehealthcaredirectivesandothersuch documents.

IndextoAppendix
AppendixA AppendixB AppendixC AppendixD AppendixE AppendixF PetitionforAdultAdoptionInstructionSheet&Form......... 5 ConsentofAdultAdoptee.....................................................9 ConsentofAdultAdopteesSpouse..................................... 12 FinalJudgmentofAdoption................................................. 15 JudicialCircuitsandtheirAssociatedCounties....................18 OtherFormsandInformationThatYouwillNeed............... 19

YoucandownloadaWordversionofthisdocumentontheFloridasChildrenFirst Websiteifyouwanttofillouttheforms.www.floridaschildrenfirst.orglookinthe ResourcesSection

AppendixA

PetitionforAdultAdoptionInstructionSheet

UsethisinstructionsheetasaguidetohelpinfillingoutthefollowingPetitionforAdultAdoption.Thepersontobe adoptedmustfilloutAppendixBAdultAdopteeConsentform.Ifthatadultismarried,his/herspousemustfillout AppendixCConsentofAdultAdopteesSpouseform.EverythinghastobesignedinthepresenceofaNotaryPublic.

Blank
1 2 3 4 5

Whattowriteintheblank

Thejudicialcircuitforthecountywhereyoulive.SeeAppendixDforalistofcircuits. Thecountywhereyouliveandplantofilethepetition. Leaveblanktobefilledinbythecourt. Leaveblanktobefilledinbythecourt. Thenameoftheadulttobeadopted.Ifyouwanttochangethisadultslastnametoyour lastname,putthenewlegalnameyouwanttheadoptedadulttohave. 6 Thefulllegalnameoftheadultseekingtoadoptanotheradult.(Adoptiveparent) 7 Thenameofthecountywherethepetitionerresidesinbothplaces 8 Selectthisoptionifyouwanttoprotecttheprivacyoftheparties. 9 Thenameoftheadultwhoisbeingadopted. 10 Dateofbirthofthepersontobeadopted. 11 Placeofbirthofpersontobeadopted.Writethecity,countyandstate. 12 Youmayuselettersornumberstodescribeeachexhibit. 1315 Iftheadopteewascaredforbytheadoptiveparentasachildexplainhowoldthechild waswhenplaced,andnametheplacingagency.Otherwise,in(15)provideashort statementgivingthereasonorreasonswhyyouwanttoadoptthepersonyouareseeking toadopt.Youdonotneedtolisteveryreasonyoucanthinkofhere. 16 Yourage. 17 Yourcurrentaddress. 18 Lengthoftimeyouhavelivedatyourcurrentaddress. 19 Thecurrentmarriagelicenseandalldivorcedecreesmustbeattached. 20 Thefulllegalnameyouwishtogivetoyouradoptedadult.Ifyouwanttogivethisadult yourlastname,putyourlastnameaftertheadultsfirstname. 21 Adoptedadultsbiological(orlegal)fathersnameanddateofbirth. 22 Adoptedadultsbiological(orlegal)fathersaddress. 23 Adoptedadultsbiological(orlegal)mothersnameanddateofbirth. 24 Adoptedadultsbiological(orlegal)mothersaddress. 25 Nameofpersontobeadopted. 26 Thiscanbeapproximate.Thisistoalertthecourttoinquirefurtherifthepersontobe adoptedhassubstantialassetsthatmightbeatriskifadopted. 27 DatethatTerminationofParentalRightswasordered 28 NumberoftheJudicialCircuitCourtwheretheTerminationofParentalRightswasordered 29 CountywherethecourtwaslocatedwhenTerminationofParentalrightswasordered 3031 CONSENT MarkanXnexttolinea,andthengoontohavetheadulttobeadoptedfillout AppendixBConsentofAdultAdopteeform.Thisformmustbecompletedinorderforthe PetitionforAdultAdoptiontobeprocessed. IFTHEADULTBEINGADOPTEDISMARRIED,listthefulllegalnameoftheadultsspouse. MarkanXnexttolineb,andthengoontofilloutAppendixCConsentofAdult AdopteesSpouseform. IFTHEADULTBEINGADOPTEDISNOTMARRIED,markanXnexttolinec. 32 Ifthebirthorlegalparentsarealiveandhavenothadtheirparentalrightsterminated,you mustattachproofthatyouservedthemwithnoticeofthePetition.(SeeAppendixF) 33+ YOUMUSTCOMPLETETHISPORTIONINTHEPRESENCEOFANOTARY Printedname,address,telephonenumber,faxnumber(ifapplicable),date,andsignature ofthepetitioner(theadultfillingoutthisPetitionandwhoisseekingtoadopttheother adultnamedinthePetition).

INTHECIRCUITCOURTOFTHE(1)JUDICIALCIRCUIT, INANDFOR(2)COUNTY,FLORIDA CaseNo.:__________(3)___________ Division:___________(4)____________ INTHEMATTEROFTHEADOPTIONOF (5), {nametobegiventopersonbeingadopted}Adoptee. PETITIONFORADOPTIONOFADULTBYANOTHERADULT ,filesthispetitionforadoptionofthe Petitioner,{fulllegalname} (6) abovenamedadult,pursuanttoChapter63,FloridaStatutes,andstates: 1. Thisisanactionforadoptionofanadultbyanotheradult,Petitioner. 2. ThecourthasjurisdictionoverthismatterinthatthepartiesresideinFlorida. 3. Venueisproperin____(7)______________CountybecausethePetitioner(s)residesin____(7) _______County,Florida. OR Thepetitionisbeingfiledin_____(8)__________Countytoprotecttheprivacyrightsoftheparties. 4. Idesiretoadopt{adultsfulllegalname}__________(9)__________________, ,at{city,countyandstate}______(11)_______.Acopy whowasbornon{date} (10) oftheadopteesbirthcertificateisattachedasExhibit_(12)___tothispetition . 5. TheAdopteecameintothecareandcustodyofthePetitioner(s)attheageof_(13)__whens/hewas placedintotheircarebytheCourtor(explain)_________(14)___________________.Petitioner(s)and adopteedesirethisadoptiontoestablishlegallytheparentchildrelationshipalreadyexistingbetween them.SincetheabovedatePetitionerhasbeenabletoprovideadequatelyforthematerialneedsofthe adopteeandisabletocontinuedoingsointhefuture,aswellastoprovidefortheadopteesmental andemotionalwellbeingandhavethefacilitiesandresourcestoprovideforthecareoftheadoptee. OR Idesiretoadopttheadultbecause: (15) . Iamabletoprovideadequatelyforthematerialneedsoftheadoptee,aswellastoprovideforthe adopteesmentalandemotionalwellbeingandhavethefacilitiesandresourcestoprovideforthecare oftheadoptee. 6. Iam__(16)__yearsold,andIhaveresidedat{address}________(17)_____________________, Floridafor__(18)__years. 6 FILLOUTALLFORMSINBLACKINK

 7. 8. 9.

Mymaritalstatusis____notmarried____married_____divorced_____legallyseparated. Acopyofpetitioner(s)currentmarriagelicenseandalldivorcedecree(s)areattachedasExhibit__ (19)__. Theadopteesnameshallbe:______________________(20)____________________________. Theadopteesbirthorlegalparentsare: ______________________________(21)_____________________________________________ FathersName Birthdate

_____________________________(22)_____________________________________________ Address ______________________________(23)____________________________________________ MothersName Birthdate _____________________________(24)_____________________________________________ Address 10. ThePetitioner(s)affirmsthats/heisafitandproperpersonwhodesirestoadopt____(25)_____,and thatsuchadoptionwillpromotethebestinterestsoftheadoptee. 11. 12. Theadopteedoesnothavepropertyofanyvalue.OR Theadopteehasproperyvaluedatapproximately___(26)____. Parentalrightshavebeenterminated.TheminorchildwaspermanentlycommittedtotheDepartment andcommunitybasedcareprovideron____(27)_________,throughthe____(28)_______Judicial Circuit,_____(29)______County,FloridathroughaFinalJudgmentofTerminationofParentalRights underF.S.39.ACertifiedcopyoftheFinalJudgmentofTerminationofParentalRightsisattachedas Exhibit_(3)__.{YouMUSTattachacertifiedcopyoftheorderterminatingparentalrightstothisPetition inadditiontotherequiredsupplementalforms} Consent. [checkallthatapply] a.TheconsentoftheadopteeisattachedasExhibit___. b.Theadopteeismarriedto{fulllegalnameofadopteesspouse}_______(30)_______, andtheconsentofthespouseisattachedasExhibit_(31)__. c.Theadopteeisnotmarried. Writtennoticeofthisfinalhearingwasprovidedtotheparentsorproofofserviceofprocessshowing noticehasbeenservedontheparentsisattachedasExhibit_(32)___. ThisPetitionisfiledintheCircuitCourtofthe____(33)_____JudicialCircuitinandfor ____(34)__________CountyFlorida.TheCourthavingjurisdictionoverthismatterislocatedat _________________(35)__________________________________________________________.The ClerkofCourtsphonenumberis_____(36)______________. 7

13.

14.

15.

 16. ThispetitionisfiledingoodfaithandtheforgeoingfactsaretrueandcorrecttothebestofPetitioners knowledgeandbelief. WHEREFORE,IrequestthatthisCourtenteraFinalJudgmentofAdoptionoftheadultbyPetitionerand changethenameoftheadoptee. STATEOFFLORIDA COUNTYOF____________________ TheforegoingPetitionforAdoptionwassworntoandsubscribedbeforemethis___dayof___________,20__, by_______________________________[Petitioner(s)],whoispersonallyknowntomeorwhohasproduced _______________________asidentification,andwhouponbeingdulyswornandtakinganoath,verifiesthat theinformationcontainedinthisPetitionistrueandcorrecttothebestofherknowledgeandbelief. Dated: _____________________________________________ SignatureofParty PrintedName: Address: City,State,Zip: TelephoneNumber: FaxNumber:

IFANONLAWYERHELPEDYOUFILLOUTTHISFORM,HE/SHEMUSTFILLINTHEBLANKSBELOW: [fillinallblanks] , I,{fulllegalnameandtradenameofnonlawyer} anonlawyer,locatedat{street} ,{city}__________________________, {state} ,{phone} ,helped{name} , whoisthepetitioner,filloutthisform.

AppendixB
ConsentofAdultAdoptee*form *Theadultadopteeisthepersonwhoisbeingadopted. DONOTSIGNTHISFORMOUTSIDETHEPRESENCEOFANOTARYPUBLIC! THISFORMMUSTBESIGNEDBYTHEADOPTEEANDTHENAMEDWITNESSES INTHEPRESENCEOFANOTARYPUBLIC

 INTHECIRCUITCOURTOFTHEJUDICIALCIRCUIT, INANDFORCOUNTY,FLORIDA CaseNo.: Division:

INTHEMATTEROFTHEADOPTIONOF ____________________________________, {nameofpersontobeadopted}Adoptee. CONSENTOFADOPTEE ,beingovertheageof12, 1. I,{fulllegalname} consenttomyadoptionby{name} ,tobehis/herlegalchildand heiratlaw. 2. Ihavebeentoldofmyrighttochooseapersonwhodoesnothaveanemployment,professional,or personalrelationshipwiththeadoptionentityorprospectiveadoptiveparentstobepresentwhenthis . affidavitisexecutedandtosignitasawitness.ThewitnessIselectedis:{fulllegalname} 3. [ onlyone] ( )Iconsenttomynamebeinglegallychangedto{specifynewnamethatyouwishtohaveupon . completionoftheadoptionprocess} ( )Idonotconsenttoanamechange. IunderstandthatIamswearingoraffirmingunderoathtothetruthfulnessoftheclaimsmadeinthisconsent andthatthepunishmentforknowinglymakingafalsestatementincludesfinesand/orimprisonment. Dated: SignatureofAdoptee PrintedName: Address: City,State,Zip: TelephoneNumber: FaxNumber:

SignatureofWitness PrintedName: BusinessAddress: HomeAddress: DriversLicenseor StateIDCardNo.:

SignatureofWitness PrintedName: BusinessAddress: HomeAddress: DriversLicenseor StateIDCardNo.:

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STATEOFFLORIDA COUNTYOF

Sworntooraffirmedandsignedbeforemeonby . NOTARYPUBLICorDEPUTYCLERK [Print,type,orstampcommissionednameofnotaryor clerk.] PersonallyknownProducedidentificationTypeofidentificationproduced

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AppendixC
ConsentofAdultAdopteesSpouse*form *Theadultadopteesspouseisthehusband/wifeoftheadultwhoisbeingadopted.Ifthepersonbeing adoptedismarried,thisformmustbecompletedbyhis/herspouse. DONOTSIGNTHISFORMOUTSIDETHEPRESENCEOFANOTARYPUBLIC! THISFORMMUSTBESIGNEDBYTHEADOPTEESSPOUSEANDTHENAMEDWITNESSES INTHEPRESENCEOFANOTARYPUBLIC 12

 INTHECIRCUITCOURTOFTHEJUDICIALCIRCUIT, INANDFORCOUNTY,FLORIDA CaseNo.: Division:

INRE:THEADOPTIONOF ____________________________ , {usenametobegiventoadultbeingadopted}Adoptee. ADULTADOPTION:CONSENTOFADULTADOPTEESSPOUSE ,amthe()wife()husbandof{fulllegal 1. I,{fulllegalname} name} ,whoPetitioner,{fulllegalname} wishestoadopt. 2. IconsenttotheadoptionofmyspousebyPetitioner. 3. Iunderstandmyrighttochooseapersonwhodoesnothaveanemployment,professional,orpersonal relationshipwiththeadoptionentityortheprospectiveadoptiveparentstobepresentwhenthis . affidavitisexecutedandtosignitasawitness.ThewitnessIselectedis:{fulllegalname} IunderstandthatIamswearingoraffirmingunderoathtothetruthfulnessoftheclaimsmadeinthis consentandthatthepunishmentforknowinglymakingafalsestatementincludesfinesand/or imprisonment. Dated: SignatureofSpouse PrintedName: Address: City,State,Zip: TelephoneNumber: FaxNumber: ____________________________________ _________________________________ SignatureofWitness SignatureofWitness PrintedName:________________________ PrintedName: BusinessAddress:_____________________ BusinessAddress:_____________________ HomeAddress:_______________________ HomeAddress: DriversLicenseor DriversLicenseor StateIDCardNo.:_____________________ StateIDCardNo.:

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 STATEOFFLORIDA COUNTYOF . Sworntooraffirmedandsignedbeforemeonby NOTARYPUBLICorDEPUTYCLERK [Print,type,orstampcommissionednameofnotaryordeputy clerk.] Personallyknown Producedidentification Typeofidentificationproduced IFANONLAWYERHELPEDYOUFILLOUTTHISFORM,HE/SHEMUSTFILLINTHEBLANKSBELOW:[fillinall blanks] , I,{fulllegalnameandtradenameofnonlawyer} anonlawyer,locatedat{street} ,{city} , ,{phone} ,helped{name} , {state} whoisthe ,filloutthisform.

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AppendixD
FinalJudgmentofAdoption

BringthisdocumenttothefinalhearingonyourPetitionforAdoption.WhentheCourt hassigneditasktheclerkforatleast3certifiedcopiesofthisdocument.(Youmight wanttocallinadvancetofindouthowmuchthecertifiedcopieswillcost.)

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 INTHECIRCUITCOURTOFTHEJUDICIALCIRCUIT, INANDFORCOUNTY,FLORIDA CaseNo.:_____________________ Division:_______________________ INTHEMATTEROFTHEADOPTIONOF , {nametobegiventopersonbeingadopted}Adoptee. FINALJUDGMENTOFADULTADOPTION UponconsiderationofthePetitionforAdultAdoptionByAnotherAdultandtheevidencepresented,the Courtfindsthat: 1.TheCourthassubjectmatterjurisdictionoverthePetitionforAdultAdoption. 2.TheCourthasjurisdictionovertheadultssubjecttoPetitionforAdultAdoption. 3.Petitionerdesiresthepermanentresponsibilityofaparentinthisadoption. 4.___Thebirthorlegalparentswithintactparentalrightshavebeenproperlynoticedofthisaction. OR ___Theadultadopteesbirthorlegalmother ____isdeceased.Acertifiedcopyofthedeathcertificateisattached. ____previouslyhadherparentalrightsterminatedbyacourtofcompetentjurisdiction. ___Theadultadopteesbirthorlegalfather ____isdeceased.Acertifiedcopyofthedeathcertificateisattached ____previouslyhadhisparentalrightsterminatedbyacourtofcompetentjurisdiction. 5.___TheAdultadopteeisunmarried. OR ___TheconsentoftheAdultAdopteesSpouseisattached. ___TheAdultAdopteesSpouserefusestoconsent.Thecourthasconsideredthereasons thereforeandhasfoundthewithholdingofconsenttobeunreasonable 6.Thebestinterestsoftheadulttobeadoptedwillbepromotedbythisadoption. 7.TheadulttobeadoptedissuitableforadoptionbyPetitioner.

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 NOW,THEREFORE,ITISORDEREDthat: 1.TheadultsubjecttothePetitionisdeclaredtobethelegalchildof Petitioner,_______________________________________________________{name} 2.TheadultsubjecttothisPetition)shallbethechildandlegalheiratlawofPetitioner, _______________________________________________________________,{name} andshallbeentitledtoallrightsandprivileges,andsubjecttoallobligations,ofachildbornofPetitioner. 3.Alllegalrelationsbetweentheadoptee(s)andtheparentwhoserightsarebeingterminatedandbetweenthe adoptee(s)andtherelativesofthatparentareterminatedbythisadoption,asareallparentalrightsand responsibilitiesofthatbirthparent. 4.ThisFinalJudgmentofAdoptioncreatesarelationshipbetweentheadoptee(s)andPetitionerandallrelatives ofPetitionerthatwouldhaveexistediftheadoptee(s)was(were)ablooddescendantofthePetitioner,born withinwedlock,entitledtoallrightsandprivilegesthereof,andsubjecttoallobligationsofachildbeingbornto Petitioner. 5.Theadultsubjecttothispetition)shallhereafterbeknownas{fulllegalname(s)}: ______________________________________________________________________________ DONEANDORDEREDat_____________________________,Floridaon____________________. ________________________________ CIRCUITJUDGE COPIESTO:Petitioners(ortheirattorney)

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AppendixE
JudicialCircuitsandtheirAssociatedCounties Instructions: UsingthisAppendix,findthecountyinwhichyouliveandthecorrespondingjudicialcircuit.Onceyoulocatethe numberofthejudicialcircuit,writethatnumberintheFIRSTBLANKofthePetitionforAdultAdoption. o FirstCircuitEscambia,Okaloosa,SantaRosaandWalton o SecondCircuitFranklin,Gadsden,Jefferson,Leon,Liberty,andWakulla o ThirdCircuitColumbia,Dixie,Hamilton,Lafayette,Madison,SuwanneeandTaylor o FourthCircuitClay,DuvalandNassau o FifthCircuitCitrus,Hernando,Lake,MarionandSumter o SixthCircuitPascoandPinellas o SeventhCircuitFlagler,Putnam,St.JohnsandVolusia, o EighthCircuitAlachua,Baker,Bradford,Gilchrist,Levy,andUnion o NinthCircuitOrangeandOsceola o TenthCircuitHardee,Highlands,andPolk o EleventhCircuitDade o TwelfthCircuitDeSoto,Manatee,andSarasota o ThirteenthCircuitHillsborough o FourteenthCircuitBay,Calhoun,Gulf,Holmes,JacksonandWashington o FifteenthCircuitPalmBeach o SixteenthCircuitMonroe o SeventeenthCircuitBroward o EighteenthCircuitBrevardandSeminole o NineteenthCircuitIndianRiver,Martin,OkeechobeeandSt.Lucie o TwentiethCircuitCharlotte,Collier,Glades,HendryandLee

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AppendixF

OtherFormsandInformationThatYouwillNeed.
I.FamilyLawForms:TheFloridaStateCourtsWebsitehasfamilylawformsavailableforyour downloadanduse.Thewebaddressis http://www.flcourts.org/gen_public/family/forms_rules/index.shtml#petsup 1. ServiceofProcess(Neededifoneorbothbirth/legalparentsarelivingandhavenothad parentalrightsterminated) a. FamilylawForm12.910(a)Summons:PersonalServiceonanIndividual. b. FamilylawForm12.910(b)ProcessServiceMemorandum 2. NoticeofHearing12.923(Mustcontactthejudicialassistanttoobtainahearingtimeforthe judgetoconsiderthePetitionforAdultAdoption.) 3. TheConsentofAdultAdopteeandConsentofAdultAdopteeSpouseareat12.981(a)(2)and (c)(2).Thereisalsoaformpetitionforadoption,buttheoneinthispackethasbeentailored foryouruse. II.FinalDispositionFormobtainfromthecourtclerk. III.AmendedBirthCertificate: Afterthecourtsignstheordergrantingtheadoption,youwillhavetosubmittheappropriate formtoobtainanamendedbirthcertificate.Iftheadultadopteewasborninanotherstate,youwill havetocheckwiththatstatefortheprocedure.IftheadultadopteewasborninFlorida,youmaybe abletosubmittheformatthecourthouse.IfyourClerkofCourtacceptstheform,youwillneedto bringacheckfor$20payabletoVitalRecordsalongwithFloridaVitalRecordsFormDH527.(Theywill notacceptcash).Theformisavailableat http://www.doh.state.fl.us/planning_eval/vital_statistics/DH_527_0808A.pdf. FCFsNameChangePackethasmoredetailsonobtaininganamendedbirthcertificate IV.NameChangeDocuments: Adopteeswhochangetheirnameintheadoptionmustalsochangetheirnameonallother legaldocumentsandgovernmentforms,includingDriversLicense,SocialSecurity,Immigration Documents,Medicaidandothergovernmentbenefits.Detailedinformationonupdatingthese documentsiscontainedinFCFsNameChangePacket.Availableatfloridaschildrenfirst.orgunder Resources.

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FloridasChildrenFirsthasuseditsbesteffortsincollectingandpreparingmaterialincludedin thispublication,butdoesnotwarrantthattheinformationhereiniscompleteoraccurate,and doesnotassume,andherebydisclaims,anyliabilitytoanypersonforanylossordamagecaused byerrorsoromissionsherein,whethersucherrorsoromissionsresultfromnegligence,accident oranyothercause.Thispublicationisintendedforuseasageneralreferencesourceforyoung peoplewhohaverecentlyexitedstatecarealongwiththeiradvocatesandcaseworkers.Itisnot meanttoprovidelegalopinionsoradvice,andisnotasubstitutefortheadviceofcounsel.

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