{"id":372837,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:05","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/hawaii-law\/hawaii-adoption-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-09-24T10:39:49","modified_gmt":"2024-09-24T15:39:49","slug":"hawaii-adoption-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/hawaii-law\/hawaii-adoption-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Hawaii Adoption Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Hawaii Adoption Laws<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/melissa-mccall-j-d\/\">Melissa McCall, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            September 24, 2024\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n<p>Adoption is more than a life-changing event.&nbsp; It is a legal process that establishes a parent-child relationship under the law. Anyone considering an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption.html\">adoption<\/a> should be aware of the process. State law governs adoptions, so we must turn to Hawaii&#8217;s adoption law to understand adoptions in this state.<\/p>\r\n<p>This FindLaw article will explore Hawaii&#8217;s adoption laws.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Adoption Basics<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>Most states have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/hirealawyer\/choosing-the-right-lawyer\/adoption-law.html\">similar regulations and laws on adoption<\/a>, including who may adopt and special requirements for adoptive parents. There are minor differences between states, but most adoption statutes are uniform. For example, in almost all states, prospective adoptive parents must meet the state eligibility criteria, including background checks and home studies. In most states, the adoption is only final after a court approves the petition.<\/p>\r\n<p>Hawaii&#8217;s adoption laws apply to the following <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/the-different-types-of-adoption.html\">types of adoption<\/a>:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Domestic adoption<\/li>\r\n<li>International adoption<\/li>\r\n<li>Foster care adoption<\/li>\r\n<li>Step-parent adoption<\/li>\r\n<li>Kinship adoption<\/li>\r\n<li>Adult adoption<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><b>Adoption Criteria<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>In the State of Hawaii, a person is eligible to adopt if they meet the following criteria:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>An adult<\/li>\r\n<li>An adult married to the &quot;legal birthing parent&quot; of a minor child<\/li>\r\n<li>Married couple<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/how-to-adopt.html\">Prospective adoptive parents<\/a> must file their adoption petition in the family or circuit court as follows:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Where they live or are in military service<\/li>\r\n<li>Where the prospective adoptee lives or was born<\/li>\r\n<li>Where the approved child-placing agency is<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Prospective adoptive parents must be able to financially support the adopted child and provide a stable home for the child.<\/p>\r\n<h3><b>Consent<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p>Several parties must consent to the adoption before a court can finalize it. Giving consent is a routine part of the adoption process as this effectively terminates the natural parent&#8217;s rights. They include, but are not limited to, the following:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>The birthing parent (birth mother and birth father) of the child<\/li>\r\n<li>An adjudicated non-parent (as determined by a court)<\/li>\r\n<li>A presumed non-birthing parent (child born in a marriage)<\/li>\r\n<li>Any agency or person with legal custody of the child or legal authority to consent<\/li>\r\n<li>The court, if it has jurisdiction over the child&#8217;s custody, where the child&#8217;s legal guardian or custodian can&#8217;t consent<\/li>\r\n<li>Children over 10, unless the court dispenses with their consent (for the best interests of the child)<\/li>\r\n<li>For adult adoptions, the adult and their spouse (if any) must consent<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>The birth parents can give consent to the adoption as early as the birth mother&#8217;s sixth month of pregnancy.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Types of Adoption<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>Hawaii&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/glossary-of-adoption-terms.html\">adoption laws<\/a> apply to the following six types of adoptions:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Domestic adoption<\/li>\r\n<li>International adoption<\/li>\r\n<li>Foster care adoption<\/li>\r\n<li>Step-parent adoption<\/li>\r\n<li>Kinship adoption<\/li>\r\n<li>Adult adoption<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3>Domestic Adoptions<\/h3>\r\n<p>As the term suggests, domestic adoptions happen throughout the United States. This includes adoptions facilitated through the <a href=\"https:\/\/humanservices.hawaii.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hawaiian Department of Human Services<\/a> and privately facilitated adoptions. The <a href=\"https:\/\/adoptioncouncil.org\/publications\/understanding-the-interstate-compact-on-the-placement-of-children\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children<\/a> will govern out-of-state adoptions.<\/p>\r\n<h3>International Adoptions<\/h3>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/international-adoption-basics.html\">International adoptions<\/a>, by contrast, involve adopting a child from a different country. They are often complex because they also involve <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/international-adoption-process-faq-s.html\">immigration laws and processes<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Foster Care Adoptions<\/h3>\r\n<p>In <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/foster-care\/foster-care-background-and-history.html\">foster care adoptions<\/a>, prospective adoptive parents select a child in Hawaii&#8217;s foster care system.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h3>Step-Parent Adoptions<\/h3>\r\n<p>In <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/stepparent-adoption-faq-s.html\">step-parent adoptions<\/a>, the step-parent adopts their spouse&#8217;s child.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Kinship Or Close-Relative Adoptions<\/h3>\r\n<p>Kinship or close-relative adoptions involve the adopted child&#8217;s siblings, grandparents, and aunts or uncles who want to adopt the child permanently. Hawaii allows for &quot;<a href=\"https:\/\/ag.hawaii.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/93-01.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hanai<\/a>&quot; adoptions or adoptions arising out of Hawaiian culture. The term means adopting children into a home under Hawaiian culture, not a court of law.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Adult Adoptions<\/h3>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/adult-adoption-laws.html\">Adult adoptions<\/a> often give adult adoptees a chance at having a permanent family.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>State Adoption Procedures<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>You must undergo an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/the-adoption-home-study-process.html\">adoption home study<\/a> once you meet the eligibility criteria for adoption in Hawaii.&nbsp;This study aims to help the court determine the placement suitable for a child. The home study will examine the following:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>If your home safe and ideal for a child (for example, do you have a bedroom for the child)<\/li>\r\n<li>Whether you can provide for the child<\/li>\r\n<li>If this placement is in the child&#8217;s best interests<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>The home study will include an interview and a background check.&nbsp; The background check will examine the following:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Your finances<\/li>\r\n<li>Criminal records<\/li>\r\n<li>Any history of child abuse or neglect<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>The court may order a post-placement study to ensure that the adoptive family can still provide for the child.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2>Post-Placement and Finalization<\/h2>\r\n<p>Adoptive parents must undergo an adoption finalization hearing to finalize the adoption. If the court orders one, adoptive families also undergo a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/home-study-for-adoption-faq.html\">post-placement home study<\/a>. If you have met all the criteria to adopt and the court agrees that the adoption is in the child&#8217;s best interest, the court will sign a final adoption decree.<\/p>\r\n<p>The final adoption decree should include a name change for your child. The adoption is officially complete once you get the child&#8217;s birth certificate with the name change, if any. The Hawaii Department of Health issues birth certificates for international adoptions.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Adoption Statutes in Hawaii<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>Below are some highlights of Hawaii&#8217;s adoption laws, including regulations on who may adopt, child consent requirements, and the relevant procedures.<\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody><tr><th><p>Code section<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/hi\/division-3-property-family\/hi-rev-st-sect-578-1\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7578-1 to 17<\/a> of the&nbsp;Hawaii Revised Statutes<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th><p>Who may be adopted<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p>Any person<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th><p>Age that child&#8217;s consent needed<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p>10 and older; if a married adult, consent of spouse also<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th><p>Who may adopt<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p>Any proper adult person, not married or married to the legal parent of a minor or spouses jointly.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th><p>Home residency required before finalization of adoption?<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p>No<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th><p>State agency\/court<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p>Human Services\/Family<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th><p>Statute of limitations to challenge<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p>One year<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n<p><i>Note:&nbsp;State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.<\/i><b><\/b><\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Get Legal Help With an Adoption<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>Adoption is a complicated process. An adoption attorney can help you navigate the entire adoption process. They can review your case and give you sound legal advice. Speak to an experienced Hawaii&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/adoption\/hawaii\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">adoption attorney<\/a> today.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3418)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M6 21H3C2.46957 21 1.96086 20.7893 1.58579 20.4142C1.21071 20.0391 1 19.5304 1 19V12C1 11.4696 1.21071 10.9609 1.58579 10.5858C1.96086 10.2107 2.46957 10 3 10H6M13 8V4C13 3.20435 12.6839 2.44129 12.1213 1.87868C11.5587 1.31607 10.7956 1 10 1L6 10V21H17.28C17.7623 21.0055 18.2304 20.8364 18.5979 20.524C18.9654 20.2116 19.2077 19.7769 19.28 19.3L20.66 10.3C20.7035 10.0134 20.6842 9.72068 20.6033 9.44225C20.5225 9.16382 20.3821 8.90629 20.1919 8.68751C20.0016 8.46873 19.7661 8.29393 19.5016 8.17522C19.2371 8.0565 18.9499 7.99672 18.66 8H13Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\n                              stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3418\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"><\/rect>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"No\"\n                value=\"no\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">No<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-down\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3423)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M16 0.999995H18.67C19.236 0.989986 19.7859 1.18813 20.2154 1.55681C20.645 1.9255 20.9242 2.43905 21 3V10C20.9242 10.5609 20.645 11.0745 20.2154 11.4432C19.7859 11.8119 19.236 12.01 18.67 12H16M9.00003 14V18C9.00003 18.7956 9.3161 19.5587 9.87871 20.1213C10.4413 20.6839 11.2044 21 12 21L16 12V0.999995H4.72003C4.2377 0.994543 3.76965 1.16359 3.40212 1.47599C3.0346 1.78839 2.79235 2.22309 2.72003 2.7L1.34003 11.7C1.29652 11.9866 1.31586 12.2793 1.39669 12.5577C1.47753 12.8362 1.61793 13.0937 1.80817 13.3125C1.99842 13.5313 2.23395 13.7061 2.49846 13.8248C2.76297 13.9435 3.05012 14.0033 3.34003 14H9.00003Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3423\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"\/>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n    <span class=\"was-this-helpful__taken-action fl-text-sm-bold\"><\/span>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-container\">\n        <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n            <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <form class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form\">\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--positive\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Easy to understand\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                        >Easy to understand<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Solved my problem\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                        >Solved my problem<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--negative\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this not helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                        >Missing the information I need<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Too complicated\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                        >Too complicated \/ too many steps<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Out of date\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                        >Out of date<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--cancel fl-button primary disabled\"\n                    type=\"reset\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Cancel<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-times-circle medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message\" role=\"status\">\n        <i class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-icon fa fa-check\"><\/i>\n        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-text\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-section-sidebar\">\n        \n<div class=\"email-subscription fl-mb30\">\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-header\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-content\">\n            <h3 class=\"fl-callout-sm fl-no-margin\">Stay Up-to-Date With How the Law Affects Your Life<\/h3>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-image fl-flex fl-items-end\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\"\n                src=\"https://www.findlaw.com/static/c/images\/images\/w_1200,c_limit,dpr_auto\/f_auto,q_auto:eco\/v1745902396\/ability-law\/wp-prod\/general-components-subscribe-module-Image-subscribeModule_1\/general-components-subscribe-module-Image-subscribeModule_1.png?_i=AA\"\n                alt=\"\"\n                loading=\"lazy\"\n            \/>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-content fl-flex fl-flex-wrap\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-content-text fl-mb25\">\n            <h4 class=\"fl-no-margin\">Enter your email address to subscribe<\/h4>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <form class=\"email-subscription-content-form\">\n            <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"distributionList\" value=\"latl\" \/>\n            <label for=\"email-subscription-content-form-group-input\" class=\"fl-text-sm-bold\">Email (Required)<\/label>\n            <div class=\"email-subscription-content-form-group\">\n                <input id=\"email-subscription-content-form-group-input\" name=\"email\" autocomplete=\"email\"\/>\n                <button type=\"submit\" aria-label=\"Submit\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n            <p class=\"email-subscription-content-form-success subscribe-success-message fl-text-sm-bold\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"status\">Thank you for subscribing!<\/p>\n            <p class=\"email-subscription-content-form-error subscribe-error-message fl-text-sm-bold\" role=\"alert\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/p>\n\n            <div id=\"email-subscription-content-form-recaptcha\" class=\"email-subscription-content-form-recaptcha subscribe-recaptcha\"\n                data-sitekey=\"0x4AAAAAAABGBEkK9kEeKxO-\"><\/div>\n        <\/form>\n\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-content-footer fl-text-sm\">\n            <p><a href=\"https:\/\/newsletters.findlaw.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn more about FindLaw\u2019s newsletters<\/a>, including our terms of use and privacy policy.<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"general-list\">\n    <h3>Helpful Links<\/h3>\n    <ul class=\"fl-list fl-no-margin\">\n                                    <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state.html\">\n                        Find Your State&#8217;s Laws\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/all-topics.html\">\n                        View All State Law Topics\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/statutes-of-limitations.html\">\n                        State Statutes of Limitations\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                        <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"popularDirectory\">\n        <div class=\"general-popular-directory \">\n            <div class=\"general-popular-directory-title\">\n                <h3>Popular Directory Searches<\/h3>\n            <\/div>\n            <ul>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/adoption\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Adoption Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/family-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Family Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/child-support\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Child Support Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/same-sex\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Same Sex Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/fathers-rights\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Father&#8217;s Rights Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/divorce\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Divorce Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/custody-visitation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Custody and Visitation Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Are you thinking of adopting in Hawaii? Learn all about adoption in the Aloha state, including Hanai adoptions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":372832,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/ArticleWithBreadcrumbsController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","_autodraft_ids":[],"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","_is_real_time_mode":false,"_realtime_collaborators":"","footnotes":"","cf_checklist_status":[]},"categories":[2743],"tags":[],"state_laws_tags":[2868],"flmsa":[],"class_list":["post-372837","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-state","state_laws_tags-statelaws_12_2"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/372837","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=372837"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/372837\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/372832"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=372837"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=372837"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=372837"},{"taxonomy":"state_laws_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/state_laws_tags?post=372837"},{"taxonomy":"flmsa","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/flmsa?post=372837"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}