Ask Me Help Desk - Convicted felon adoption?

Hi, my aunt and uncle are looking to do a private adoption they have found a person (someone they know) that is going to have a baby and wants to adopt this child out because of medical issues. My question is... my uncle is a convicted felon about 10 or more years ago. All I remember about what happened is that he tried robbing a convenient store and held a knife to the clerks throat (I know lovely right?) He and my aunt have been married for about 8 years and he has full custody of his 13 year old (happy and healthy who gets straight A's and no behavior issues) daughter and has had this since she was about 3 or 4. With a conviction that happened so long ago and having custody of his daughter for so long would he be able to adopt this child? I've read up on it and it says that even with a criminal background you still might be able to adopt.

He made mistakes and he has paid for them and I might add that he really is a wonderful man now and has been a fantastic uncle to my 3 sisters and I... he's been like a second father to me. I just would like to know if this would hinder their hopes of adopting this child or not.

Thanks so much in advance for your answers :)

Jenn in NY

If it's a private adoption, there shouldn't be a problem. Or rather, there should be less of a problem than in a public/agency adoption.

They will need to contact a family lawyer and get more information on how to proceed.

Best of luck to them!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColorMeCrayola21

Hi, my aunt and uncle are looking to do a private adoption they have found a person (someone they know) that is going to have a baby and wants to adopt this child out because of medical issues. My question is...my uncle is a convicted felon about 10 or more years ago. All I remember about what happened is that he tried robbing a convenient store and held a knife to the clerks throat (I know lovely right?) He and my aunt have been married for about 8 years and he has full custody of his 13 year old (happy and healthy who gets straight A's and no behavior issues) daughter and has had this since she was about 3 or 4. With a conviction that happened so long ago and having custody of his daughter for so long would he be able to adopt this child? I've read up on it and it says that even with a criminal background you still might be able to adopt.

He made mistakes and he has paid for them and I might add that he really is a wonderful man now and has been a fantastic uncle to my 3 sisters and I...he's been like a second father to me. I just would like to know if this would hinder their hopes of adopting this child or not.

Thanks so much in advance for your answers :)

Jenn in NY

I think that as long as he wasn't convicted of a sex crime that the adoption will go uncontested but even if they deny it your aunt can adopt the child as a single parent as my mom adopted me. My dad was convicted of a felony and my mother adopted me as a single parent and never had any trouble.

I believe it depends on the laws of your state. My son-in-law was a convicted felon (lives in VA.) and this was more than 15 years ago and they wanted to adopt a child but were not able to because of the law. Well, my daughter thought that was a ridiculous law since he was now a great person and no run ins with the law since. She had the law changed, she went to Richmond found people that were willing to listen and the law was changed. They now have adopted a sweet little boy from Ethiopia. Change happens!

If his track record has been as good as you suggest since his conviction then he'll probably be able to adopt.

This has all been very helpful my husband and I are both convicted felons and are not sure we can have children so later in life it is nice to know we might still be able to adopt down the road even after having made poor choices earlier in life

This is very helpful for my husband and I. I was convicted of a felony in 2000 and have not been in any further trouble. My husband is a correctional officer and I can no longer have children. I have 5 children from an ex-husband but would still like to raise a child with my current husband. Maybe there is hope. Thank you.