Adult Adoption- Termination of parental rights required?

[craxeldog]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? GA

My 18 y.o. niece recently informed my brother (her father) that her stepfather had adopted her, and she is now using his last name. I suspect she might have obtained a legal name change, but I don't think her stepfather could have adopted her without my brother either consenting or having his rights terminated. Can anyone tell me how it works in GA?

 

[Zigner]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? GA

My 18 y.o. niece recently informed my brother (her father) that her stepfather had adopted her, and she is now using his last name. I suspect she might have obtained a legal name change, but I don't think her stepfather could have adopted her without my brother either consenting or having his rights terminated. Can anyone tell me how it works in GA?

A competent adult does not need the consent of a parent to be adopted.

 

[craxeldog]

Even if her father is still living? The parent/child relationship can just be ended, without his consent?

 

[Silverplum]

Even if her father is still living? The parent/child relationship can just be ended, without his consent?

The "child" is no longer a "child."

Adults have relationships with whomever they please.

 

[mommyof4]

Even if her father is still living? The parent/child relationship can just be ended, without his consent?

Yes, because the parent has no legal control over the adult child as long as that child is mentally competent.

That's what being a grown up gets ya'.

 

[craxeldog]

I realize she is an adult, but I thought the "parent/child" relationship was a legal relationship, and as such, both parties would have rights that would have to terminate prior to entering into another such legal relationship. The fact that one party can unilaterally terminate it by choosing another parent does not seem fair to the original parent.

 

[Silverplum]

I realize she is an adult, but I thought the "parent/child" relationship was a legal relationship, and as such, both parties would have rights that would have to terminate prior to entering into another such legal relationship. The fact that one party can unilaterally terminate it by choosing another parent does not seem fair to the original parent.

Write your congresspeople.

 

[mommyof4]

I realize she is an adult, but I thought the "parent/child" relationship was a legal relationship, and as such, both parties would have rights that would have to terminate prior to entering into another such legal relationship. The fact that one party can unilaterally terminate it by choosing another parent does not seem fair to the original parent.

There is no longer a legal 'parent'**child' relationship as there is no 'child' as defined by the law.

 

[craxeldog]

There is no longer a legal 'parent'**child' relationship as there is no 'child' as defined by the law.

Okay, now I'm starting to see it- thanks for the clarification. So, the legal parent/child relationship terminates by definition when the "child" reaches age of majority, correct?

 

[Zigner]

I realize she is an adult, but I thought the "parent/child" relationship was a legal relationship, and as such, both parties would have rights that would have to terminate prior to entering into another such legal relationship. The fact that one party can unilaterally terminate it by choosing another parent does not seem fair to the original parent.

I haven't been to the fair in a long long time. I used to like it...it had that big slide and the hammerhead ride...