How do I adopt an adult in Nebraska?

To adopt an adult in Nebraska, you file a petition in the County Court of the county where you (the petitioners) live, meet the eligibility rules in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-101, and attend a hearing, which is usually held 4 to 8 weeks after filing unless it is continued.

Who can adopt an adult. Nebraska restricts adult adoption, so eligibility comes first. There are two paths:

• Stepparent: an adult child may be adopted by the spouse of the adult child's parent.
• Non-stepparent: you must have had a parent-child relationship with the adult for at least six months before the adult turned the age of majority. In addition, one of these must apply: the adult has no living parents; a court ended the parents' rights; the living parents relinquished the adult in writing; the parents abandoned the child for at least 6 months before majority (or for a substantial portion of the time since); the parents are incapable of consenting; or the adult has a sole legal parent who consents.

Nebraska's age of majority is 19, so the "before majority" timing is measured against that age. Whether your situation fits one of these conditions depends on your facts, so an attorney or the County Court clerk can help with a close call.

Other ground rules. If you are married, your spouse must join the petition. No adoption may result in more than two legal parents. Substitute consents under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-105 do not apply to adult adoptions.

Consent. A sole legal parent must consent if that is the path you are using. The statute does not clearly spell out a written consent from the adult being adopted, so ask the clerk what the court expects. Having the adult take part in the paperwork and hearing is a sensible step either way.

Residency. The court in the county where you live has jurisdiction. The requirement that the child live with the petitioners for a period before the decree does not apply to adult adoptions.

Home study. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-107, an adult adoption is exempt from a home study unless the court specifically orders one. The judge may order a home study or background investigation if it serves the parties' best interests.

Steps in order:

• Confirm that you qualify under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-101.
• Prepare the petition and any required consents.
• File in your County Court and pay the filing fee, which typically falls between $100 and $250. Your clerk can confirm the current amount.
• Wait for the hearing date the court sets.
• Appear in person at the hearing, as Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-108 requires of petitioners. The decree is entered if the court finds the adoption is in the adult's best interests.

Timeline. Adult adoptions in Nebraska typically move in about 4 to 8 weeks, mostly because the hearing is set within that window.

Contested or unclear situations. If a parent objects, cannot be located, or your family's situation does not clearly fit the conditions above, talk to the County Court clerk or an attorney about that specific issue.

How we help. StepParent Adoption 360 is a document preparation service, not a law firm. You answer questions online, and we prepare the complete court document package for your county. You then file it yourself, without an attorney. The price is $349 for one adult adoptee, and you receive court-ready documents within 24-48 hours after you finish the questions. We back every package with a 100% court acceptance guarantee.