Personally, we waited a year.
The bios were just going about their lives and it seemed pretty obvious that our little guy wasn't part of it for them.

We did everything ourselves and had a signed order of adoption in 2 weeks. We did miss a code which involved social service though, so if you do it yourself make sure you have EVERYTHING.

I was wondering the same thing. We've been guardians for one year now and though the parents say they want the kids back, they have not done one thing to improve themselves or their situations. I know we would need to terminate their parental rights because they would not be willing to give up their rights voluntarily. (Though neither parent has a job, drivers' license, place to live, etc)
I do know we have adoption specialists in our state and our social services case worker had us talk to her shortly after our guardianship hearing last year because the case worker believes we will eventually be going down this road. I assume the parents should be given a couple of years to see if they can "pull it together."

LunaRose - did the parents agree to the adoption?
Paddlenorth - We are in the same boat with the mom not doing anything the judge has requested, just ME ME ME. The Dad is turning his life around now but has been away so long now that we don't know if we will every be ready to raise his kids.
Something is not right when we have to live our lives around the bio's when they are the ones that caused all of this chaos.
Thanks for your replies. It was my first topic and I was getting worried that I asked a forbidden question or something.
I haven't posted much here but I read it daily and you all have given me much encouragement and some laughs too.
Thank you.

Bonkers,

Yes they did. I researched, printed out and handed them the consent forms. They signed and notarized them.

Bonkers, I think not many people answered because not many people on here have adopted. :P Most of us have guardianships.

I wish there were a few more to talk to who have had to take away parental rights, because that is what I am looking at sometime when I can afford it as well. I do know from the few who have, like DD, that it is a long, hard road in most cases.

LunaRose, Where did you find the consent form? I have been the guardian of my 2 granddaughters for 9 years and the parents have had no, zip, zero contact in over 6 years. My granddughters think it is time and so does my wife.

Granpa Gary,

I have a blank template on my computer, if you contact me privately and give me your email I'll send it to you.

sorry I don't have my search saved any more, but I just gooogled "Adoption Consent Form"

I think the big difference is the reality that if you are a foster parent or get other types of assistance, you usually cannot qualify for those benefits if you adopt. We did adopt as soon as the door was open for it (the bio finally agreed) because we wanted to protect our gs from bio and his crazy family. It's good to hear that some have been able to handle the adoption on their own, but I would be concerned and feel a lawyer is necessary to get the papers through. We had our lawyer and our gs's court appointed lawyer both pulling for us on adoption. The bio kept pulling tricks which caused delays and other problems. Texas has been notorious for holding back benefits for grandparents raising grandchildren so you might want to consider that also. They are not considered a kid friendly state and treat the grandparents like they are stealing the kids.

We had a hard time putting our emotions in the drawer and looking at it like the courts would. The judges have a tough balancing act. 1. What is best for the children, 2. Rights of the paternal parents, and 3. desires of other realatives. In our case we were already appointed legal guardians. There would be little risk to leave things status quo. There is always a chance the bio parents will turn it around. The question is how long does one wait. The children deserve a feeling of permanence. When our gd came to live with us, one of the biggest improvement n their emontional well being was they both got a dresser to keep their stuff. Prior to that they were living motel to motel and the back of cars.
LunaRose inspired me to move forward. I'm send the consent to adopt form to the parents which have moved to another state to avoid warrents. I'm still concerned the mother might fight it even thaough she has had no contact in 6 years.