Adoption - lawyer recommendation

[happysoul]

Hello,

 

My son isn't my son, it's my wife's half sister son (welcome to easy thai families ;)). He is 12 years old and has been with us since his birth. He wants to be "officially" part of the family (emotionally he is already).

 

We have visited 2 times the adoption center in BKK already. I feel like I would need help from a lawyer to help us going through the process or suggest another solution.

 

I want his "official" status to change so he feels better, can travel with us without hassle and inheritance too.

 

Does someone have a recommendation for a good lawyer specialized in that matter ?

 

Thanks in advance

[KhunLA]

You don't need a lawyer, per se.   Go to the 'family service' office at your Amphur office, and explain the situation, and they will advise you if possible.

 

I did that to adopt my 'village orphan', and even with the parents permission, due to trafficking laws, it wouldn't be allowed.  Of course I had a lawyer tell me differently.  But head of family services, who would be the approving official, stated simply a scam.  I'd lose locally in court.  Pay the lawyer more to appeal, and simply lose again.  Unless a big fee to a corrupt judge is paid.

 

Your situation may be different, since married to his aunt.   She should have no problem adopting, I would think, but adding you as father, may be an issue.

 

My daughter did adopt us, as her parents, once an adult.  You can look forward to that in 8 years, if request is turned down.

[happysoul]

Hello,

 

Thanks for your answer. Tell me if I'm wrong, you got the permanent custody in the amphur. That could be a first step but I was looking for adoption (that can only be done in BKK).

 

But as you say, maybe it would be best to have a permanent custody at the amphur for the moment and then do the adoption when he is an adult.

 

Would you by chance have the name of the paper for the permanent custody ? We had some temporary done when going abroad but it could be easier if I go to the amphur saying "I need this kor Ror or whatever it is" so they get I know what I'm talking about. We did the temporary 3 times and they always tell us "beware it's only valid 6 months". I've tried to make it differently but they played the "not possible" route.

 

Thanks anyway for your input,

 

Cheers

[John L.]

A lawyer won't help the speed but can help for papers. Foreigners can NOT adopt through the family office of the amphur as written below. It works only with the DSDW in Bangkok.

 

I know that Sebastien H. Brousseau helped a friend to adopt children. He is based in Bangkok and works for a law firm.