Adult Adoption
Schedule a Consultation TodayAdult Adoption
People often tell me, “I raised my stepdaughter and stepson like my own children. They are adults now. I always intended to adopt them while they were children, but just never did. Can I adopt my stepdaughter and stepson now, as adults?”
Yes, you can adopt another adult to create a legal relationship when there is a genuine parent-child relationship and the petitioner and adoptee understand the legal and practical consequences of the adoption.
Through adult adoption, families can protect important relationships and inheritance rights, while providing a sense of belonging. The most important benefit of an adult adoption is often emotional. The decree of adoption does not create a family, but it does make it official and provides a feeling of permanence and security.
There are also other benefits, including:
- Inheritance rights
- Access to medical records
- Participation in healthcare decisions
- Visitor access for in-patient health care
- Social Security benefits
Consent – In North Carolina, only three people must consent to the adoption of an adult – the person being adopted (adoptee), the adopting adult (petitioner), and the spouse of the petitioner (if applicable).
Notices – We must send notice of the proceeding to the following individuals:
- Any adult children of the prospective adoptive parent
- Any spouse of the prospective adoptive parent
- Any parent of the adoptee
- Any spouse of the adoptee
- Any adult child of the adoptee
The Clerk of Court may “for cause” waive the requirement to serve notice of the proceeding on the biological parent of the adult adoptee.
The fact that these individuals receive notice of the proceeding does not mean that their consent is required. They cannot prevent the adoption by objecting to the proposed adoption or withholding their consent.
People often ask, “Since we all agree, can’t I do this myself?” The paperwork and procedures can be challenging. The fact that everyone agrees, makes it possible. It does not make it easy. Some things are too important to take a chance.
Experience On Your Side
No legal proceeding is simple, but it can be a lot easier with an experienced partner at your side. Bobby Mills has practiced adoption law in North Carolina for over 30 years. Call us today at 919-533-4025 or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation.
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
Faqs About Adult Adoption
Below are some frequently asked questions about Adult Adoption:
What is an adult adoption, and is it legal in North Carolina?
Adult adoptions are adoptions where the adoptee is over the age of 18. North Carolina law allows for adult adoptions, but spouses may not adopt one another.
Notably, the law does require notifying some of the adoptee’s family members that the adoption is taking place. However, the law does not require their consent. Adult adoptions have the same legal effect as any other adoption—they terminate the rights of the adoptee’s prior legal parents.
How do adult adoptions work in North Carolina?
Adult adoptions in North Carolina have fewer requirements than child adoptions. In an adult adoption, there is no requirement for a home study or post-placement visits to protect minor children.
Although the law requires you to provide notice of the petition to adopt to specific individuals, only three individuals need to consent to an adult adoption in North Carolina: the adoptee, the adoptive parent, and the adoptive parent’s spouse (if the adoptive parent is married).
After filing the adoption petition in court, you must complete consent paperwork from you, your adoptive child, and your spouse, if you have one. The last step is to finalize the adoption at a court hearing.
Adult adoption lawyer Bobby Mills has over 35 years of experience as an adoptions lawyer in North Carolina. Put his expertise to work for your family and schedule your free 15-minute consultation.
Are there any advantages of legally adopting an adult in North Carolina?
Yes. Formalizing an existing parental relationship with an adult has many benefits in North Carolina, including:
- Inheritance rights
- Access to medical records and decision making
- Social security benefits and insurance
- Ability to legally change the adoptee’s name
Moreover, it is often vital in society to memorialize life events, and expanding a family qualifies. The adult adoption process is relatively straightforward compared to minor adoptions, and the process is even easier with an experienced adoption lawyer on your side.
How do I choose an adult adoption attorney in North Carolina?
When choosing an adult adoption attorney in North Carolina, the first thing you should look for is experience. Mills Adoption Law has over 35 years of experience in family law. This experience allows Bobby Mills to anticipate issues before they arise and solve them. Experience. For what matters most: family.
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!