How to Adopt a Sibling

If your parents are unable to care for your younger brother or sister—whether because they’ve passed away, have a terminal illness, are incarcerated, are addicted to drugs or alcohol, or for any other reason—you may have considered adopting your sibling. Good for you—adopting a sibling is an excellent way to protect him or her and keep your family together. Before you take any further steps with the adoption, however, it’s important to hire an experienced attorney, since the relative adoption process can be very confusing.

Once you’ve hired an attorney, he or she will help you draft and file a Petition for Relative Adoption with the court. Unlike traditional adoptions, relative adoptions don’t require a home study. The court will conduct a hearing, which you’ll need to attend along with your attorney. Based on the information presented in the submitted papers and at the hearing, the court will determine whether you can move forward with adopting your sibling.

The Family Law Firm to Choose in Tampa Bay

If you’re interested in adopting a sibling, you can feel confident hiring an attorney from the Law Offices of Audrey A. Jefferis, P.A., to represent you throughout the proceedings. We represent clients in Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Hernando Counties, and we have extensive experience navigating the sibling adoption process. Contact us today to schedule a consultation—we have offices in New Port Richey and Palm Harbor, and we’d be happy to meet at whichever location is more convenient for you.