My stepson is 18 and wants me to adopt him his mother walked out and left them with there dad now my husband 8 years ago for another man the children have asked her could I adopt them but she refuses even though she says she hates them and has no contact with them what so ever she does not send birthday or christmas cards etc she pays 5pnd a week that she has to pay through the csa it is not a voluntary payment I also have her 16 year old daughter living with me as well who also wants me 2 adopt her they both call me mum even though I have only been in there lives 18 mnts .

First it is not a good idea to piggyback your question on someone else's thread. This can lead to confusion. So I've moved your question to its own thread.

Second an 18 yr old is an adult and really doesn't need adoption. But, if the bio mother refuses to relinquish her rights, then you face a very hard task. You NEED to consult with a family atty who can advise you if there are any grounds for terminating her rights.

Andrea,
I am confused with your question. If he is 18, he is an adult. You can still adopt him if the parents relinquish their rights to him/them. But why bother to go to the expense of it? Ask the parents if they would be willing to relinquish their rights to the 16 year old for adoption. Ok, your question scrambled my mind!

It's not an issue with the 18-year-old. He is emancipated and really doesn't need to be "adopted". He can certainly honor you as his mother if he chooses. As for that matter, so can't eh 16-year-old. In another 2 years she'll be 18 like her brother and can choose to regard you as her mother.