Legal Question in Family Law in Ohio

Can I Adopt My Brother Children?

My brother is the biological father of two children by the same woman, ages 2 1/2 and 3 1/2. The children were removed from thier mothers home by children services several times for abuse and drug abuse as well as not following the rules the case worker set forth. They were put into foster care and now are in the temporary custody of my mother and grandmother. Neither of the biological parents or grandparents is legally allowed to adopt the children but thier biological mother's brother is trying to adopt them. I know that if this happens they will be in the care of thier mother's mother who is as abusive and into drugs as thier mother. So I would like to file for adoption. The problem is that the children and their mother's side of the family is in Ohio and I am in California. I do not know if I have the legal right to file for adoption or where to begin. What I would like to know is exactly what I must do to file for adoption, as in, where do I need to go or who do I need to contact in order to file for adoption and do I have the right to file for adoption? What are the chances I will get custody of the children and what will the courts look at to decide whether I or their uncle gets them? Thank you for your time.


Asked on 2/03/04, 8:47 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Lyle Johnson Bedi and Johnson Attorneys at Law

Re: Can I Adopt My Brother Children?

File an application with child services for the adoption of the children. Because of the possibility of the adoption being contested you hsould hire an attorney to represent you in this matter.

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Answered on 2/03/04, 9:57 pm


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