Sometimes parents are unable or unwilling to raise their children, and a relative steps in to provide the love and care the child needs. Relative adoption provides permanency for the child and legally establishes the parent-child relationship.
Florida adoption law allows for a simplified procedure for a close Relative Adoption and a home study is not required (except in rate instances, when a child is in DCF custody). For the purpose of a Florida Relative Adoption, a “relative” is considered a person related to the child within the third degree, such as a Grandparent, Great Grandparent, Aunt, Uncle, Brother, Sister, Niece or Nephew. The child’s Great Aunt, Great Uncle or 1st Cousin are not considered close relatives, although they could adopt as any other person could.
A Florida Relative Adoption terminates the rights of the parents, and names the adopting relatives the child’s legal parents.
The Federal Adoption Tax Credit for qualified adoption expenses is available for Relatives who qualify. This credit can help to greatly reduce the costs of adoption by reducing your income tax obligation by the amount of qualified expenses.
The Florida Adoption lawyers at The Adoption Law Offices of Madonna M. Finney, with offices in Tallahassee, Pensacola and Franklin County, are experienced in assisting families with relative adoption. The advice of an experienced relative adoption lawyer can be invaluable. We prepare the court documents, attend all hearings before the judge, obtain the new birth certificate and advise you along the way. Our firm has been providing comprehensive representation in all aspects of the relative adoption process for more than 20 years. Madonna is the Panhandle’s only Board Certified Adoption Lawyer, recognized by the Florida Bar as an expert in adoption law. Her firm handles Relative adoptions in Tallahassee, Quincy, Hosford, Monticello, Crawfordville, Apalachicola, Carabelle, Wakulla, Jefferson and Franklin counties. Call the Florida Adoption Law Firm of Madonna M. Finney to learn more about the process of adopting a relative in Florida. Call us at (850)577-3077 for more information.
