Understanding the Florida Putative Father Registry: A Comprehensive Guide for Relative and Stepparent Adoptions

Navigating Relative and Stepparent Adoptions: A Guide to the Florida Putative Father Registry Putative Father Registry: Introduction Navigating the adoption process can be complex, and when relative or stepparent adoptions are involved, understanding the role of the Florida Putative Father Registry is crucial.  Established in 2003 during the Adoption Reform Act, the Florida Putative Father … Read more

Myths and Realities – Florida Pro Se Step-Parent, Relative, and Adult Adoptions

Pro Se Florida Adoptions Myths and Reality

Frequently we receive calls at Florida Family Adoptions where the pro se party has “heard” or has been “told” something about Florida adoptions that isn’t accurate.  I have compiled a list of the most common myths and realities, and I hope this will help others who are contemplating filing a pro se grandparent, relative, step-parent … Read more

5 Ways to Navigate Florida’s New Relative Adoption Laws: Urgent Considerations for Relatives

Adopting Grandchildren?: Navigating the New Landscape of Relative Adoptions in Florida – Legal Changes and Their Implications DCF and Foster Families: No Good News for Adopting Grandchildren or Relatives in Florida Relative adoptions in Florida are undergoing a seismic shift due to recent legislative changes that significantly impact the involvement of the Department of Children … Read more

The Emotional and Financial Cost of Misinformation in Family Adoptions

Grandparents Adopting in Florida

THE HIGH COST OF MISINFORMATION PRO SE (NON-LAWYER) ADOPTIONS IN FLORIDA If I were given the task of picking the one thing that most adversely affects pro se petitioners filing cases in the Florida Courts, it would have to be, hands down, the issue of misinformation.  The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines misinformation as “incorrect or misleading … Read more

Grandparent Adoption, Step Parent Adoption & Relative Adoption in Florida – The Advantages of Becoming ONE Family

Florida Stepparent Adoption Assistance and Forms

Adoption by Grandparents and Stepparents in Florida I have previously blogged about the mechanics of Florida stepparent and relative Adoptions, Florida grandparent adoption forms, and Florida relative and stepparent adoption forms.  Now I’d like to take a little time to discuss the many advantages and benefits of a stepparent or grandparent adoption, both personal and … Read more

Court Access in Florida: The View from Two Perspectives

Pro Se Florida Relative Adoption Forms

COURT ACCESS IN FLORIDA:  THE VIEW FROM TWO PERSPECTIVES Justice in Florida will be accessible, fair, effective, responsive, and accountable. ~ Vision of the Florida Judicial Branch – 2008 Over ten years ago, these words led the report from the Florida Supreme Court’s Commission on Trial Court Performance and Accountability addressing the issue of Pro … Read more

A Customer’s Visit to the Law Library for Relative Adoption Forms

A woman in South Florida called the other day.  She wanted to file relative adoption forms in order to adopt her nephew, who she has raised since birth. As a pro se party (no attorney representation), she was having difficulty finding the proper Florida relative adoption forms necessary to bring her case to conclusion.  She … Read more

Florida Pro Se Family Adoptions and Unlocated Birth Parents

Florida Relative Stepparent Adoption Forms

But I don’t know where they are! – When birth parents can’t be located. One of the most common scenarios we encounter at Florida Family Adoptions is when we get a call from a relative (mostly grandparents) wishing to adopt their grandchildren, but they don’t know where the biological parents are.  Unlocated parents can present … Read more