What are Wisconsin's adoption laws?

Wisconsin adoption is governed by Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 48. Here are the key provisions:

Residency: 6 months (Wis. Stat. § 48.82)

Court: Circuit Court

Child Consent: Age 14+ (Wis. Stat. § 48.42)

Abandonment: 12 months no contact (Wis. Stat. § 48.415)

Termination: Can be included in adoption proceeding

Home Study: Typically waived for stepparents (Wis. Stat. § 48.88)

Timeline: Minor: 3-6 months | Adult: 4-8 weeks

Wisconsin has 72 counties, each with its own Circuit Court. Our documents are customized for your specific countie's requirements.

We've helped 385+ families in Wisconsin navigate these laws successfully.