Relative Adoption
Schedule a Consultation TodayRelative Adoption
Grandparents, Relatives, & Kinship Care Arrangements
Many parents cannot provide proper care for their children. Sometimes, the best option for the parent and the child is to place the child with a relative. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, adult siblings, cousins, and even great grandparents are raising children.
Unfortunately, far too many relatives are raising children without the legal authority that they need to make decisions and protect children from harmful disruptions in their living situations. When caregivers don’t have proper legal authority, parents can remove children from the security of the only home they know.
There are several different levels of legal authority. Each level provides greater authority and permanence.
- Powers of attorney – Powers of attorney are granted by a parent. They provided limited authority and can be revoked by a parent at will.
- Legal custody – Custody can be legal decision making and / or physical care. Custody is granted by a court. It is always temporary and can be changed anytime there is a change in circumstances.
- Guardianship – Guardianship is legal decision making and physical care. It may also include authority to manage a ward’s property. Guardianship is granted by a court. It can be changed by the court, if the guardian fails to perform his duties.
- Adoption – Adoption creates a new family structure and parent child relationship. It is permanent and provides security.
Life can be complicated. Let us help sort out the legal issues, while you concentrate on taking care of the child. An experienced lawyer can help you through the process, so that you can provide the protection and care that the child needs.
Contact an experienced lawyer about your options. It is especially important to have expert legal advice if the child has been the subject of court proceedings in the past.
Relative Adoption Requirements
Like any other legal procedure, adoptions can be complicated. In most respects, adopting a child who is related to you is just like adopting any other child. If your biological relationship to the child is close enough, a home study may not be necessary. In North Carolina, a home study is not required if you are the child’s:
- Grandparent
- Full or half sibling
- First cousin
- Aunt or uncle
- Great-aunt or great-uncle
- Great-grandparent
If you are a stepparent, visit our stepparent page for more information.
Benefits of a Relative Adoption
Like any other adoption, the adopting relatives will gain full parental rights for the child they adopt. Some of the benefits include:
- Making medical decisions
- Ensuring inheritance benefits for the child
- Making educational decisions
- Protecting your relationship from being disrupted
Even if you are already living with the child and helping with their care, formalizing that relationship will make sure you are able to protect the child and act in their best interest going forward.
How an Attorney Can Help
Even though the relative adoption process in North Carolina is more streamlined than a traditional adoption, it’s critical to have an experienced attorney on your side to help with the process, which includes:
- Ensuring that your situation qualifies for relative adoption
- Obtaining consent from the biological parents, or seeking termination of their parental rights in court
- Filing the proper paperwork with the court
- Determining whether you need a home study and guiding you through the process
- Addressing any previous court proceedings
- Obtaining any financial assistance
- Finalizing the adoption process in court
Bobby Mills has over 30 years’ experience in North Carolina adoption law and can help you navigate the process of relative adoptions. Call us today 919-533-4025 to set up a consultation and to get your questions answered!
Ask a Question,
Describe Your Situation,
Request a Consultation
Call (919) 306-2899 or fill out the short form below. We will usually respond within 1 business day but often do so the same day. Don’t hesitate, your questions are welcome.
We respect your privacy. The information you provide will be used to answer your question or to schedule an appointment if requested.
Why Choose Mills Adoption Law?
- Experience–Attorney Bobby Mills has over 35 years of experience representing birth parents, adoptive parents, and foster parents through all aspects of adoption and parental rights.
- Adoption Specialist–Other firms include adoption and parental rights as part of their larger family law practice areas. At Mills Adoption Law, we focus exclusively on adoption, parental rights, and foster parent rights.
- Board-Certified–Attorney Bobby Mills is a Fellow of the American Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproductive Attorneys, certified by the board as a specialist in family law, and the former director of a child placement agency.
- Agency Attorney–At Mills Adoption Law, we also represent child placement agencies and their clients.
Want to Schedule a Consultation?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Professional Associations
Why Should You Choose An Adoption Attorney?
An adoption attorney will:
Provide
We will provide an unbiased explanation of adoption procedures and develop a legally secure plan tailored to your needs.
Assess
We will assess the risks involved, including determining what payments are permissible and ensuring that birth parents are treated fairly and their rights are legally terminated before placement is finalized.
Clarify
We will clarify your options, if any, for post-placement arrangements with birth parents, making sure your interests and those of the child are served.
Explain
We will explain your rights and adoption laws in your state or refer you to attorneys who practice in other states or internationally.
Review
We will review and negotiate the adoption agency contract to protect your interests.
You Should...
Contact
You should contact an attorney as early as possible in the decision-making process.
Learn
Learn about the specific types of adoption services the attorney provides. Ask what percentage of the practice is dedicated to adoption and how many adoption proceedings the attorney has handled.
Choose
Choose an attorney who is experienced in the type of adoption you are considering.
Know
Know what the attorney charges, how fees are structured and that you can afford the services.
Ask
Ask questions, request references, share your concerns and provide the attorney with all relevant documents. Ask for a written retainer agreement that outlines what the attorney charges, how fees are structured and other details regarding fees and fee payment.
Ready to take the next step?
Real Clients, Real Testimonials
Mr. Mill is a very experienced professional lawyer and he is also very patient and kind in giving his advice. 5 stars!
0 reviews • 0 photos
I would highly recommend Bobby for your Adult Adoption.
He’s kind, considerate, and very knowledgeable about the adult adoption process.
Reflecting back, the process was pretty seamless and his pricing was very reasonable.
He was always quick to respond to any questions I had. I dealt directly with Bobby. Not an assistant.
The entire process only lasted several months.
Thank you so much!!
Local Guide • 24 reviews • 54 photos
My family used Mr. Mills for our adoption process and could not be more pleased. He was incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and responsive. He was always available and answered every question we had throughout. There were many layers to our adoption situation and process, and Mr. Mills was able to navigate it all without incident. The local DSS representative that we worked with in our county commented that in all of her years working with adoptions she had never seen such a thorough packet of information. Mr. Mills and staff, thank you for what you did for our family. It is absolutely wonderful to be a dad!
4 reviews • 0 photos
I had a very good experience in my adoption process, my confidence in Bobby Mills and his group, was completely justified. I am so glad I found his services as a professional lawyer and felt he did above my expectations! The process was walked through step by step with results we could see the end coming closer in sight each meeting. He was prompt and courteous and answered questions I had. Definitely would use his services again!!
Adoption is one of the most meaningful — and sometimes complicated — journeys a family can take. What began as a simple interstate adoption quickly became the most “unusual” and complicated case lasting 15 months. From the initial consultation, Bobby handled every turn with compassion, clarity, and unwavering ease.
He was consistently available to answer questions, explain the process in a way that felt approachable, and offer steady, thoughtful guidance when it was needed most. His knowledge of adoption law — gave me so much peace of mind during an uncertain time. His recommendations for post-placement services and trusted colleagues were also wonderful, providing the support needed well beyond the courtroom.
Thanks to Bobby’s expertise and heart, my family’s story found its way home. I’ll always be grateful for the steadiness and kindness he brought to this life-changing story.
If you’re in search of an adoption attorney who’s both highly skilled and deeply kind, I couldn’t recommend Mills Adoption Law more.
We can’t recommend Mills Law Firm enough! Going through the adoption process can be daunting and emotional, but Bobby was there for us every step of the way. From our very first consultation, he made us feel welcome and informed.
Throughout the process Bobby was able to able to answer all questions clearly and patiently and guided us step by step through the complex legal paperwork. He was always incredibly responsive to our calls and kept us updated on the progress of our case throughout the entire process.
Thanks to Bobby’s help, our adoption was finalized smoothly, and we owe a huge debt of gratitude to him for helping us with this process.
If you’re considering adoption, we strongly recommend that you contact Mills Law Firm. Bobby’s expertise, communication, and support will make a world of difference in your adoption journey. We are so grateful for everything he did for us!
Bobby Mills is absolutely fantastic! I 100% recommend him for anyone trying to adopt! He’s very quick and made even the stressful moments of our adoption journey a lot less difficult! I am beyond grateful for this man and I do not regret the decision on choosing him as my lawyer! Thanks Bobby for everything! From: The Williams Family
I had a wonderful experience in every way possible! Everything was explained in detail of what could or would happen if situation went every way. I would definitely recommend Bobby & The Mills Adoption Law Team to handle your case! Bobby is very knowledgeable,smart, & a straightforward man. We didn’t need to come into the office much. They made it feel easy. Thank you!
I had a very delicate case with the hopes of a very impossible outcome but Bobby was always very honest. Always told me the cons and pros of every move we decided to take. And something that was nearly impossible he made it a reality with his wisdom. There are no words to explain the gratitude I feel towards him. He is extremely knowledgeable and has a network of attorneys to seek if he ever needs assistance. He personally picks up your calls & replies black to every email!! I am so blessed I found him. I will forever be in his debt. THANK YOU BOBBY!!
Bobby’s experience and vast connections with people all over the state of North Carolina was very helpful in making our adoption as smooth as possible. Even though our adoption happened in a town a couple of hours away from Bobby’s office he happened to know a social worker who lived in that town that helped us get through the process when we had questions that popped up. I felt that he always had our interests in mind and answered my texts and emails promptly. We actually recommended Bobby to our friends who are adopting in North Carolina as well. Highly recommend!