My teenager doesn't want to be adopted — can I still adopt them in Louisiana?

Yes, you can still move forward in Louisiana, because the state does not require your teenager's consent. The court does ask for and consider the wishes of a child 12 or older (La. Ch.C. Art. 1253(C)). Your teen's objection won't automatically end the case, but it won't be ignored either.

What the court does with a teen's opinion: If your teen is 12 or older, the District Court in your parish asks for their wishes and considers them. How much weight a judge gives a strong objection depends on the facts of your family. For your situation, ask the District Court clerk in your parish or an attorney.

Why teens often resist:

• Loyalty conflict: They may feel adoption betrays or erases their other parent.
• Identity: Their name and family history are part of who they are.
• Fear of change: Even good changes can feel threatening.
• Grief: They may still be processing the loss of a relationship with a biological parent.
• Normal teenage pushback: Resisting adult decisions is part of growing up.

What families can do:

• Talk openly. Explain what adoption means to you and what it doesn't. You are not asking them to stop loving or remembering anyone.
• Listen first. Ask what worries them, and let them finish before you respond. Because the court asks for their wishes, it helps to know what they would say.
• Make it concrete. Walk through what would actually change in daily life, and what would stay the same.
• Give it time. Louisiana's stepparent adoption process typically takes 3-6 months once you file, so you can have the conversation before you decide when to start.
• Consider family counseling. A therapist can help a teen put complicated feelings into words.

If you'd rather wait: Some families decide to wait until the child turns 18 and then pursue an adult adoption. In Louisiana, adult adoptions typically take 4-8 weeks. The legal requirements for an adult adoption, including whose agreement is needed, should be confirmed with the District Court clerk or an attorney. Waiting also lets your teen make the choice as an adult, which can feel very different to them.

When to get legal advice: If your teen's other biological parent objects, can't be located, or the case looks contested in any way, talk to an attorney about that specific issue. Those situations depend on the facts, and the clerk's office can tell you about local filing procedures. Court filing fees in Louisiana typically run $200-$400.

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 parish. You then file it yourself without an attorney. The cost is $349 for the first child (or one adult adoptee) and $99 for each additional child, and your court-ready documents arrive within 24-48 hours after you finish the questions. We back every package with a 100% court acceptance guarantee, and we have helped 881 Louisiana families, and more than 34,000 families nationwide since 2001.