Colorado Judicial Branch - Self Help

Adult Adoption

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Adult Adoption

Adult Adoption
These standard instructions are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice about your case. If you choose to represent yourself, you are bound by the same rules and procedures as an attorney.

What is an adoption?
- 1. What is an adult adoption?
  - A person takes into their family another person over the age of 18 for the purposes of making him or her an heir or someone who will inherit property or money when that person dies.
- 2. Where may I find more information about adult adoption?
  - For more information look at §14-1-101, C.R.S. (Colorado Revised Statutes), or Colorado law.
How do I adopt another adult?
- 1. What paperwork do I fill out for an adult adoption?
  - NOTE: If you are planning to adopt more than 1 adult you will need a packet for each adult.
    
    Complete the Paperwork
    
    * Download and fill-out the following forms:
    
    JDF528 Petition for Adult Adoption
    
    JDF530 Notice and Summons for Adult Adoption, only if you aren't including a completed answer/consent from the adult you want to adopt
    
    JDF529 Answer/Consent for Adult Adoption
    
    JDF531 Decree for Adult Adoption
    
    TIPS for completing JDF528 Petition for Adult Adoption:
    
    * You are the petitioner.
    
    * If you are married your spouse will be petitioner 2 in the signature line.
    
    * Follow the prompts to complete the form.
    
    TIPS for completing JDF530 Notice and Summons for Adult Adoption:
    
    * Fill out the top portion of the form only, above the title Notice and Summons.
    
    * The clerk will complete the rest of the form and issue the summons.
    
    TIPS for completing JDF529 Answer/Consent for Adult Adoption:
    
    * Fill out the top portion of the form only, above the title Answer.
    
    * The answer form is included in the packet so that the person you are trying to adopt may agree to the adult adoption, if they choose.
    
    TIPS for completing JDF531 Decree for Adult Adoption:
    
    * Fill out the top portion of the form only, above the title Decree.
    
    * The judge will complete the rest of the form and sign the decree, usually at the adoption hearing.
- 2. How do I give my paperwork to the court for an adult adoption?
  - (1) Decide where (which courthouse) to deliver your paperwork.
    
    Your adoption by family member paperwork should be given to the district court in the county where you live or where the adult that you want to adopt lives. Use the courthouse finder to find a court in your area.
    
    (2) Give the Court the completed forms.
    
    * JDF528 Petition for Adult Adoption
    
    * JDF530 Notice and Summons for Adult Adoption, only if you aren't including an answer/consent completed by the adult you want to adopt
    
    * JDF529 Answer/Consent for Adult Adoption
    
    * JDF531 Decree for Adult Adoption
    
    (3) Pay the filing fee.
    
    * Pay the filing fee. If you do not think you can afford the filing fee, go to the instructions and fill out form JDF 205 Motion to File Without Payment and Supporting Financial Affidavit and JDF 206 Finding and Order Concerning Payment of Fees to request a waiver of the filing fee or visit our Filing Without Payment for complete information.
- 3. How do I arrange to serve the Adoptee with the adult adoption paperwork?
  - Serve the adult you want to adopt only if you didn't include a completed answer/consent from he or she with your paperwork to the court.
    
    Personal Service:
    
    The service section of the website will give you information on how to arrange to serve the person you want to adopt.
    
    1. Provide the person serving the paperwork with two copies each of the Summons, Petition, and Answer.
    
    2. The process server will return the original Summons to you with the Affidavit of Service completed. Give the affidavit to the court right away.
    
    3. You are responsible for paying the service fees, if any.
How do I respond to an adult adoption?
- What paperwork do I fill out to respond to an adult adoption?
  - * You are the Adoptee if you receive adult adoption paperwork from a process server, sheriff, or other individual.
    
    (1) Fill out the Answer.
    
    * Use the Answer form included in the paperwork that you received JDF 529 Answer/Consent for Adult Adoption. Follow the prompts on the form and answer whether or not you want to be adopted.
    
    You should have received an answer form with your summons if you didn't previously complete the answer.
    
    (2) Give the Answer to the Court where the case was started.
What happens after I give all of the adult adoption paperwork to the court?
- 1. Do I need to give the court more paperwork after the petition for adult adoption?
  - The bottom part of the summons should be completed by the person who served the petition on the adult you want to adopt, if you had the paperwork served.
- 2. Will there be a court hearing?
  - Once the court receives the Answer/Consent from the adult you want to adopt, the Court will look at all paperwork and may allow the adoption and sign the decree. If the person you want to adopt does not consent to the adoption, your Petition will be dismissed. Check with the Court to see when you can expect to receive the Decree for Adult Adoption.