Am I eligible to adopt a child in Michigan?
An individual or married persons (including same sex couples) may adopt a child in the state of Michigan.
How much can an attorney or child placing agency charge adoptive parent(s) for an adoption?
The court must review and approve only those fees that are both statutorily allowed and reasonable. If the fee charged is either not statutorily allowed or unreasonable, the court may reduce fees charged.
Where will our adoption petition be filed?
An adoption petition may be filed with the court of the county in which the petitioner(s) reside(s), where the adoptee is found, or where the parent’s parental rights were terminated or are pending termination. MCL 710.24(1).
What does a home study consist of?
A home study also referred to as a family assessment is a complete history and evaluation of prospective adoptive parent(s) current family life, past experiences, parenting experiences, and capacity to parent a child.
At what age does an adoptee have to consent to his/her own adoption?
An adoptee 14 years of age or older must consent to his/her own adoption before a Judge or referee.
Will I/we be able to change the child’s name as part of the adoption?
Adoptive parent(s) may change the adoptee’s name as part of an adoption.
Is a new birth record created after an adoption?
Adopting parent(s) may elect to have a new birth record created. If a child was born in Michigan, Michigan Vital Records will seal the child’s former birth record and create the new birth record. If a child was born in another state, that state’s vital records department equivalent will seal the child’s former birth record and create the new birth record.
What is the impact upon the relationship between adoptive parent(s) and an adoptee?
After an adoption, the adopting parent(s) become the legal parent(s) of the adoptee as though the adopted person had been born to the adopting parent(s). MCL 710.60(1).
What is the impact of an adoption on inheritance?
- An adopted child becomes an heir at law of the adopting parent(s) and an heir at law of the lineal and collateral kindred of the adopting parent(s). An adopted child is no longer an heir at law of a person whose parental rights have been terminated or the lineal or collateral kindred of that person, except that a right, title, or interest that has vested before entry of the final order of adoption is not divested by that order. MCL 710.60(2).
- An adopted adult is no longer an heir at law of a person who was his/her parent at the time the order of adoption was entered or the lineal or collateral kindred of that person, except that a right, title, or interest that has vested before entry of the final order of adoption is not divested by that order. MCL 710.60(2).