how much will my process take

For a minor child adoption in Rhode Island, the process typically takes about 3 months from the time you file your documents with the Family Court until the final hearing.

Here's the breakdown:

Step 1: Document preparation — We prepare your Rhode Island adoption documents within 24 hours of you submitting the online questionnaire.

Step 2: Review and sign — You review the documents, and we make any revisions you need (unlimited revisions included). This usually takes a few days to a week depending on how quickly you review them.

Step 3: File with the court — You file the signed documents with the Rhode Island Family Court in your county. At this point, the court takes over the timeline.

Step 4: Court processing — The court schedules your final hearing, processes background checks, and handles service (if the father is deceased, this is much simpler). This is the 3-month period on average.

Step 5: Final hearing — Most Rhode Island courts now do hearings virtually (phone or video). This is more of a celebration — the judge finalizes the adoption.

If you're adopting an adult (18+), the process is much faster — typically 4-6 weeks because there's no background check or home study required.

Since you mentioned the father is deceased, your timeline will likely be on the shorter end — possibly 2-3 months — because there's no need to serve the other parent or wait for publication periods.

Does this timeline work for your family?