I would ask for a change in law regarding the adoption cut off age. The law states that a person or persons cannot adopt or be adopted, if an application was not made shortly before an eighteenth birthday. 

My children's step-father, has raised both of my children from when they were very young. Their biological father was absent for the best part of their lives, by choice. Both of our children chose to take on my husband's surname a year after we were married, and several years later they have wanted their step-father to adopt them. My daughter was hesitant to start the application due to her paternal grandfather's potential feelings, despite the fact that is what she wanted. My son decided to hold off too, so that they could go through the adoption process together. In the end my daughter decided that she needed to do what was right for herself, and asked for the adoption to begin, not only this but she is fast approaching eighteen.

The adoption process has now begun with my daughter, however although my son is 19 years, and the law does allow for this, but Only if the application was made before he turned eighteen himself. Sadly my son is not elligable to be adopted like his sister, and it is devastating,not only for our son, but for our whole family too. 

We tried searching for other ways, but sadly there were none, of course. During our search we discovered that there are many, many others who are also In the same position, of being unable to adopt their now adult step-children, nieces, nephews, and others with legal custody.

Many kid's don't want to go through with an adoption before they are eighteen, as they fear repurcussion by the other absent bio parent, or of being told NO, that they just feel it would be a waste of time, or too difficult, or upsetting, and that many would prefer waiting till after they were eighteen so their biological parents cannot object, threaten, or make the young adult feel bad or guilty. Not every young adult that wants to be adopted, wants the absent bio parent to have that say, or even be apart of their adult decision.

Barry, and I ask if you could please help us, with a change in the law. I know you will not only have our support but many, many others also, along with the gratitude of future adopters, and adoptees.

We have raised our children with the belief that if they want something, and it means a change, then they must indeed fight for it, especially if it would help more than just themselves. We are willing to do the same, with them, and together, and beside other families going through the same difficulty.

By upping the age of adoption it would change many peoples lives in wonderful ways, surely for the better of all parties. The adoptee would feel complete, not only feel, but really be apart of the family, and acknowledged as such. When someone wants to adopt, they really want the adoptee to feel that too. Sometimes people just do not find that sort of a place with a person or within a family unit, until later in life. To be aknowledged or to aknowledge a person in such a way can mean more to them than anything in the world, and why not let that honour be granted still after the age of eighteen. 

My husband has raised both of his step-children as if they were his very own, and he has no children of his own biologically, and it is very important to us all that this law be changed. Please consider this petition and our plight that Our son not be left out of being adopted alongside his sister. And please also consider the plight of others just as affected by the law. 

Most other countries allow for adult adoptions, but not ours. Please let's make a change.

Yours faithfully

The Lace Family