Legal Question in Family Law in California

Re: adoption

It is not possible to give you a clear legal answer to your inquiry without a more detailed evaluation of the facts of your case.

Generally speaking, an interstate adoption would require you first to obtain a court order from the California court, terminating the parental rights of the child's natural parents. Then, you would file for adoption in the Kentucky Circuit Court of your residency. The Kentucky Cabinet for Families and Children would conduct a home survey, criminal record check, and financial analysis of you and your spouse, and transmit these to the California Department of Family Services. Upon approval by the California authorities, you would then be able to bring the child to Kentucky, and the Kentucky court would grant the adoption, directing the Kentucky Dept. of Vital Statistics to issue a new birth certificate for the girl; indicating that you and your spouse are the parents of the girl, who would be considered born in Kentucky.

You should not take any action, based upon my advice, without consulting an attorney and explaining all the facts to him. You are best advised to seek the services of a competent Kentucky attorney. You can telephone your local bar association for a referral, or can find a good lawyer on-line at the Kentucky Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service:

http://www.kybar.org/Default.aspx?tabid=291

Good luck!

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