Adoption In GreeceNowadays, most couples decide to get married to live together, have children and create their own family. However, it is common that this is not achieved in practice, as it happens many married couples, despite their continuous and persistent efforts not to have children. In these cases, many of them decide to have a child by resorting to adoption. Adoption is a legal process through which the individual's legal relationship with his / her natural family is interrupted and a new legal relationship is established with the person who adopts. It is distinguished between the adoption of a minor and the adoption of an adult. Adoption of a minor: The process of adopting a minor, which involves state bodies, institutions and the judicial authority, is governed by strict rules and conditions and always takes into account the interests of the minor. First of all, the persons interested in adopting a minor child must contact the relevant state institution and make an application in order that they are registered in a cooperation- waiting list. The time somebody has to wait is significant due to the large number of applications and the rather complicated process. The competent institution examines the data of the persons concerned (criminal record, income, family environment, etc.), while at the same time they work with sociologists and psychologists in order that it is determined if they are appropriate to become parents and and in order that they get ready and trained for the reception of the child. In a second phase, when the child to be adopted is found, the applicant submits an application for adoption to the competent court of law. The applicant should be between the age of 30 and the age of 60 and at least 18 years older than the minor. When considering the case, the applicant's evidence and cooperation progress with the institution are assessed by the court and the consent of the natural parents of the child to be adopted (and, in case they are unknown, the consent of the state body responsible for the child) and of the person who adopts is given. When the minor is over the age of 12, the court also takes into consideration his / her own opinion. In case a child is adopted by a married person, the consent of the spouse is explicitly granted, and of course it is possible that they adopt the child together. Also, it is possible to adopt more minors with one application for adoption. The decision of the court which accepts the adoption, once it has become final, produces the following legal consequences: • Any legal ties between the minor and his / her natural family are interrupted. • The minor is fully integrated into the foster parent's family and has all the rights of a child born in a marriage. • The minor gets the surname of the foster parent. He/she may, however, add the surname of his / her natural parent, when he/she becomes an adult. • Natural parents lose the right to parental responsibility, to which foster parents are completely replaced. Adoption of an adult: Adoption of adults is the exception and is allowed only when the adopted person is a relative of up to the fourth-degree by blood or marriage of the adopter. In most cases, a person adopts his/her spouse’s natural child from a previous marriage. The adoption again becomes strong after a final judgment on a joint application of the adopter and the adult to be adopted. The adopter must have completed at least his fortieth year and be at least 18 years older than the adopted. If the adopted person is married, the consent of his/her spouse is required. Since the adoption is completed, the adopted child is a legal child of both spouses, while his/her ties with his natural parents and relatives are maintained. Mrs. Kasatkina-Kouskou Svetlana's International Law Office takes over cases of individuals or married couples wishing to adopt a minor or adult child. Our specialized associates are by your side from the beginning of the process by contacting the state body and collecting and presenting the required supporting documents until the application for adoption is launched and the hearing of the case is completed. With absolute respect and sensitivity to this delicate subject, we help you complete this time-consuming process with speed, accuracy and minimal discomfort by taking care of all the formal issues so that you can devote yourself to the preparation of welcoming your child and creating your family.
INTERNATIONAL LAW OFFICE OF MRS SVETLANA KASATKINA-KOUSKOU Contacts: Greece, Athens 10679, 2 Ippokratus St 3rd floor («Panepistimio» metro station) Phone/fax: (+30)211-0149605 Phone: (+30)211-0124473 Phone: (+30)211-2131652 Mobile: (+30)6948273758 Skype: kasatkina8 Viber: +306948273758 WhatsApp: +306948273758 e-mail: kasatlaw@gmail.com Back |
