Legal Name Changes for Adults and Children

Legal Name Changes for Adults and Children

In North Carolina, there is a statutory process for legally changing an individual’s name. While similar in process, there are different requirements for name changes for adults and children. There are multiple personal reasons an individual would want to change their...
Adult Adoption in North Carolina

Adult Adoption in North Carolina

Adoption of an Adult Many families assume that adoption is only for children. However, adult adoptions are an option that many families can and should consider when there is an informal parent/child relationship that has never been legally formalized. Adult adoptions...
What is an Independent Adoption?

What is an Independent Adoption?

Independent adoption is the adoption of a child placed directly for the purposes of adoption with the adoptive family by their parent or guardian. The adoptive parents are not relatives to the child as defined by NC law. An agency may be involved but does not have...
Adopting Your Stepchild

Adopting Your Stepchild

What is a Stepparent Adoption? Stepparent adoption is the adoption of a child by the spouse of their biological parent.  Many families desire to make the relationship of stepparent and child a permanent one through adoption. In this case, the stepparent becomes the...
Adopting a Child Who Is Your Relative

Adopting a Child Who Is Your Relative

Relative adoption is the adoption of a child by their relative as defined by North Carolina law. Relatives are defined as a grandparent, full or half sibling, first cousin, aunt, uncle, great-aunt, great-uncle, or great-grandparent of the minor. When Is Adoption the...