Can an elderly stepparent adopt in Hawaii?

Yes, an elderly stepparent can pursue adoption in Hawaii by filing in Family Court. The Hawaii requirements listed below concern your family's circumstances and do not mention a maximum age for the adopting parent. If you want to be certain about age, the Family Court clerk in your county can confirm it.

Whether you are adopting a minor or an adult matters more than your age. Here is how Hawaii's process looks in each case.

If the child is a minor:

• Court: The petition is filed in Family Court in your county.
• Residency: Hawaii has no minimum residency period (HRS § 578-1).
• Child's consent: A child who is 10 or older must consent (HRS § 578-2).
• Abandonment: If the case involves a biological parent's abandonment, Hawaii uses a 12-month period (HRS § 578-2).
• Home study: Hawaii does not waive the home study (HRS § 578-8), so plan for it.
• Timeline: A stepparent adoption of a minor typically takes 3-6 months.

If the person being adopted is an adult (18 or older):

• Adult adoptions are often how longtime stepparent-stepchild relationships are made legal later in life.
• The typical timeline is 4-8 weeks.
• The Hawaii requirements we have on file for adult adoptions are limited. Ask the Family Court clerk about consent or other requirements for your situation.

Questions about age and your own situation: Whether the court looks at an older adopting parent's health, finances or the age difference between you and the person being adopted is something to confirm with the Family Court clerk or an attorney. The same goes for contested cases, such as a biological parent who objects, or one who cannot be found. Those depend on the specific facts, and an attorney can advise you on them.

Why families consider adoption later in life:

• A legal parent-child relationship can matter when it comes to family planning and decisions about care.
• The details of how adoption affects inheritance, medical decisions or other rights are worth reviewing with an attorney, especially if you have a will or estate plan.

Practical tips:

• Call or visit the Family Court clerk in your county for the current filing fee and local filing instructions.
• If you