Legal Corner: What do I have to do to adopt my spouse’s children?

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - Legal Corner answers viewers’ civil legal questions.

QUESTION: I would love to adopt my wife’s two children. Are there qualifications that I have to meet in order to file to adopt them?

ANSWER: Louisiana Children’s Code Art. 1243. Persons who may petition for intrafamily adoption

A. A stepparent, step-grandparent, great-grandparent, grandparent, or collaterals within the twelfth degree may petition to adopt a child if all of the following elements are met:

(1) The petitioner is related to the child by blood, adoption, or affinity through the mother of the child or through a father who is filiated to the child in accordance with the Civil Code.

(2) The petitioner is a single person over the age of eighteen or a married person whose spouse is a joint petitioner.

(3) The petitioner has had legal or physical custody of the child for at least six months prior to filing the petition for adoption.

QUESTION: What is the date of the upcoming election in Calcasieu Parish? When is early voting?

Is it too late to register to vote? Can I still request a mail-in ballot?

ANSWER:

• Primary election – Saturday, March 29, 2025
• Early voting: Saturday, March 15th – Saturday, March 22nd (Sunday, March 16th excluded)
• Deadline for in-person and mail registration to vote: Was February 26th
• Deadline for online/geauxvote.com registration to vote: Was March 8, 2025
• Deadline to request mail-in ballot from Calcasieu Registrar: March 25th
• Deadline for Calcasieu Registrar to receive mail ballot: March 28th *For additional information, contact the Calcasieu Parish Registrar of Voters ((337) 721-4000) and/or the Louisiana Secretary of State ((225) 922-1000)