I need to know how to adopt my niece who will be born in march. My sister is giving me the baby and I can take her from the hospital at birth. Both parents are signing over all rights immediately. Do I need to do anything legally before the birth?

Contact a family law attorney so that you can have all your ducks in a row when the baby comes.

You would need to start on the adoption papers so that you can take the child from the hospital. It would be best to consult with a lawyer about this to insure all the T's are crossed, if you know what I mean. Since she's family, I'm not sure legally what you'd need before you could go home with the baby. The adoption papers are, from my understanding, signed after the birth of the child, but if the parents have signed over parental rights, then the papers is all that is standing in your way.

Best of luck to you !

While you can't do anything * at least sign anything* but you need an attorney and have the paper work ready to have signed and to take to the court for a judge to approve

Birthparents can not legally sign away parental rights before the birth of a child.

I really suggest that you see a lawyer, and that your sister see a counselor that specilizes in adoption.