Im 21 years old and I'm married I have a 13 year old brother that I want to adopt.Our parents are divorce my dad doesn't live in the USA and he's not able to provide for my brother and my mom is unable to support him because she doesn't have a job and because of her immigration status it has been much harder for them . My brother has been living with us for the past years because of this and I would like to help him more and to provie for him and my mother is willing to sign the adoption papers . But I need to know what am I supposted to do first and what do I need to get strated?

If your mother has full custody according to the courts then she can allow the child ( your brother ) to live with you. She will still need to be there for decisions and certain documents but also can pass guardianship to you for some of those matters.
Its not a normal case for a sibling ( brother / sister ) to adopt because your actually assuming the full rights and obligations of a parent. Hope that's clear.

I am a television producer out of New York trying to develop a documentary series about siblings raising siblings. If you are the in process of or where successful in adopting your brother, would love to talk to you about it. I can be reached at [email protected] or 212-687-7716.

Were you able to complete this documentary? My mom is pregnant and due in September and I will assume all rights and responsibilities upon this child's birth... I am so lost as to what I need to do to prepare legally and mentally :/ I am 21, work a fulltime and part time job and attend college part time :)

Well, I am in canada and I'm going for what is called kinship. I am in the process of a homestudy. They check my references like medical references, personal references, Criminal record check and finicial position. I and my partner signed a lot of papers. My little brother was apprehended by social services because of neglect due to alcoholism. My mother was caught drinking with my little twin sisters whom are only 16 and my other brother whom is 14... So my little brother
Whom is 9 yrs old was taken because he is at risk... There are definitely a lot things required such as safety precautions ,fire drills , alarms and fire extinguishers. I am an active member of alcoholics anoynmous and my past wasn't a pleasant one. But I did something about it and I still do! I DO BELIEVE PEOPLE CAN CHANGE IF THEY HAVE THE WILLINGNESS.. unfortunately no one in that family wants too. So I plan on finally adopting my little brother in the near future.. And that is in Gods hands... I just hate to see him back in that dysfunctional environment again..