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Deepak Lal   08 February 2016

Stepfather adopting wife's adopted child

Prior to my marriage my wife adopted a girl child as a single woman. We married about a year ago and my wife adopted child is 4 years old now.

What is my legal relationship with my wife's daugher ? and if i need to adopt her for legal issues, and if yes what are is the procedure for adopting the girl child?

 

 

 



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 7 Replies

Dr J C Vashista (Advocate)     08 February 2016

Since the girl child was adopted by your wife before marriage with you, you will have to adopt the child as per procedure, contact a local lawyer.

Vijay Raj Mahajan (Advocate)     08 February 2016

 

Hindu girl child up to the age of 15 years can be adopted by a Hindu man with consent of his wife but the child should not already been adopted. In your case as the girl child is adopted by you wife before marriage, she can now seek maintenance for the child from you by virtue of your marriage with her. The official use of your name as father of the child can also be done by you people by the marriage certificate of your marriage and your wife’s registered adoption deed of the child. Otherwise it’s a mutual understanding between both of you that should be in welfare of the child and for its upbringing till the child attains the age of majority, namely is 18 years old. For the purpose of all future responsibilities like maintenance etc. for the child you both will be responsible according to law applicable to both of you.

ANAMIKA VICHARE (LAWYER)     08 February 2016

You can adopt the daughter by filing Petition for Adoption in City Civilcourt to the Principal Judge,if youi are in Mumbai.   The Adoption is not easy.   You hv to show your financial capablity, produce medical reports.    Ifyou are planning to go abraod and seek a job over there, you go for adoption, else, jaise the position is far better

 

ANAMIKA VICHARE (LAWYER)     08 February 2016

You can adopt the daughter by filing Petition for Adoption in City Civilcourt to the Principal Judge,if youi are in Mumbai.   The Adoption is not easy.   You hv to show your financial capablity, produce medical reports.    Ifyou are planning to go abraod and seek a job over there, you go for adoption, else, jaise the position is far better

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ANAMIKA VICHARE (LAWYER)     08 February 2016

You can adopt the daughter by filing Petition for Adoption in City Civilcourt to the Principal Judge,if youi are in Mumbai.   The Adoption is not easy.   You hv to show your financial capablity, produce medical reports.    Ifyou are planning to go abraod and seek a job over there, you go for adoption, else, jaise the position is far better

For further commn

Facebook a/c [frienship will not be accepted]

Anamiak Vichare

[with New York cit picture on profile[

 

SAINATH DEVALLA (LEGAL CONSULTANT)     09 February 2016

CHILD Protection & Child Rights » IV. National Mechanisms » Child Related Legislations » Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956

 

 

Adoption according to Indian law is a personal act and hence is governed by the various personal laws of the different religions. Adoption is not permitted in according to the personal law of Muslims, Christians, Parsis and Jews in India. Hence they usually opt for guardianship of a child through the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890. Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956 The following is an outline of the provisions in this law that pertains to children below the age of 18.

This act applies to all Hindu, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains by religion. A child, legitimate or illegitimate, whose parent(s) or guardians were Hindu, Buddhist, Jain or Sikh is also considered under this act. A person who converted to these religions is also considered under this act. According to the act a 'Hindu' is any person to whom this act applies. In this act a minor is any person who has not completed 18 years of age. This act supersedes any act concerning Hindu adoption and maintenance.

Under this act, adoptions can only be made if all three parties, the minor, the giver and the adopter are all in agreement and considered fit. A Hindu male can adopt a male or female child, but must have to have the consent of his wife (wives) if she is alive and of sound mind and Hindu. A female Hindu can adopt if she is of sound mind, unmarried or married and her husband is dead, of unsound mind or is no longer a Hindu. Only the father, mother or the guardian of a child can place the child for adoption. A child can only be adopted if he/she is Hindu, not previously adopted, not married and has not completed fifteen years of age.

If the adoptive family already have a son or grandson or great-grandson (paternal lineage only) in their home they are not permitted to adopt a son. If the adoptive family already have a daughter or grand daughter (paternal lineage only) in their home they are not permitted to adopt a daughter. When adopting a child of the opposite s*x the adopter must be 21 years older than the child. A child once adopted is considered to be a child of the adoptive family and all tied with his/her previous family cease to exist except with regard to prohibitions of marriage and property inherited by the child. Adopted children have the right to inherit property from their adoptive parents. A valid adoption can not be nulled by any party. Bribing a party for adoption is an offence punishable under this act.

If a person is already married at the time of adoption then his/her spouse will become the adoptive father/mother of the child. If the adoption takes place before marriage the spouse will be considered the step-parents of the child. In the case of multiple wives, the adopter must decide who the adoptive mother is and who the step-mothers are. Under the maintenance part of the act, A Hindu must provide for his/her legitimate and illegitimate children.

 

T. Kalaiselvan, Advocate (Advocate)     13 February 2016

The law is very clear that a child already adopted cannot be adopted again.  Your wife has adopted the child before marrying you hence you will not be able to adopt the child once again as an adoptive father.  You can become a step father of the child.  You can go through expert advocate Shri Sianath Sir's comments and opinion in this regard given above. 


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