You Already Think of Each Other as Parent and Child. Make It Legal.
You may think of someone as your parent, or as your child, even though the law does not. A stepparent or foster parent who stayed in your life can become your legal parent through an adult adoption, including for inheritance.
Arkansas law allows any individual to be adopted, and an adult adoption is simpler than adopting a child. The adult’s biological parents do not have to consent, and the court does not require a home study unless the judge orders one.
I’m Chuck Buchan, an attorney experienced in adoption cases, and I handle adult adoptions across Arkansas for a flat fee, so you know the cost before we file.
Five Steps From Your First Call to a Signed Adult Adoption Decree
Most adult adoptions involve the same five steps. I will handle each one and tell you what to expect before it happens.
ELIGIBILITY REVIEW
Good news: Arkansas lets any individual be adopted, and that includes adults. We’ll talk about your relationship and why you want to do this. Then I’ll tell you who needs to be part of the petition and what the judge will be looking for.
CONSENT
The adult being adopted (and his/her spouse, if married) signs a written consent. The adult’s biological parents do not have to consent. I’ll handle the paperwork and make sure everybody understands what they’re agreeing to.
THE PETITION AND FILING
I draft the petition and all the supporting documents, and I file them in the Arkansas county where you or the adult being adopted live. A home study isn’t required for an adult adoption unless the judge orders one.
THE HEARING
You and the adult being adopted come to the hearing. The judge has to find that the adoption is in the adult’s best interest. I’ll sit down with you both beforehand and go over the questions the judge is likely to ask, so there are no surprises. And yes, people love getting their picture taken with the judge afterward.
THE DECREE AND WHAT CHANGES
Once the decree is signed, the adopted adult is the adopting parent’s legal child for all purposes, including inheritance. The adult’s legal ties to biological relatives generally end. I’ll explain that before you file so you know exactly what you’re getting.
CLIENT FEEDBACK
Answering Commonly Asked Adult Adoption Questions
Does adopting an adult change inheritance?
Yes. After the decree, the adopted adult inherits from the adoptive parent as a legal child, and the adult’s legal ties to biological relatives generally end (§ 9-9-215). I go over this with you before you file. After the adoption case is over, if you’d like, we can visit about updating your wills and beneficiary designations
Can I adopt an adult if I’m married?
Usually your spouse joins the petition. A married person can file alone in a few situations: the spouse is the adult’s parent and consents, the spouses are legally separated, or the court excuses the spouse’s non-joinder or non-consent. If you’re not sure which applies to your specific situation, reach out to me. It’s a quick conversation.
Is adult adoption a contested court case?
Almost never. Because the adult’s biological parents don’t have to consent and there’s usually no home study, adult adoption is typically uncontested. That’s why I can handle it for a flat fee, and you deal with me directly.
What if I was adopted as a child and it didn’t work out?
That can be fixed too. An adult who was adopted can sometimes be adopted again to restore the legal parent-child relationship with a biological parent. Call or text me and we’ll see what makes sense in your situation.
Why would an adult want to be adopted?
There are a few common reasons. Maybe a stepparent or foster parent raised you and you want the legal relationship to match the real one. Maybe a stepparent wanted to adopt you as a child, but your biological parent wouldn’t consent. Or maybe you need to establish inheritance rights. If you were raised by a stepparent or foster parent but never legally adopted, you generally can’t inherit from them if there’s no will or the will fails. Whatever your reason, call me and we’ll talk it through.
Give Your Family the Legal Protection It’s Missing
You may have been raised by a stepparent or foster parent, or a biological parent may have refused to consent years ago. Either way, the law doesn’t recognize the relationship yet, and that can affect your family, especially when it comes to inheritance.
An adult adoption fixes that, and it’s a short court case. It still takes the right consents and a petition the judge can approve. I handle adult adoptions, so I know what Arkansas courts look for in both.
You deal with me directly, not a rotating staff. One flat fee covers everything from your first consultation through the final hearing, and I keep you posted at every step so you always know what’s next. I’ll also answer your family and inheritance questions before you file, so nothing in the decree surprises anyone.
Schedule Your Adult Adoption Consultation
Whether you are the adult who wants to be adopted or the person who wants to adopt, I can tell you what Arkansas requires and what happens after the decree. Your consultation covers who must consent, what changes for your family, and the flat fee.