South Australian Current Acts South Australian Current Acts10A—Adoption of child who has turned 18
(1) The Court will not
make an adoption order in favour of a child who is aged 18 years or more on
the date on which the application for the order is made unless the Court is
satisfied—
(a) that
a significant parent to child relationship existed between the prospective
adoptive parent or parents and the child before the child attained the age of
18 years; and
(b) that
the child appears to understand the consequences of adoption on the child's
interests, rights and welfare.
(2) In determining
whether a significant parent to child relationship existed for the purposes of
subsection (1), the Court may take into account the following:
(a)
whether the child was cared for by the prospective adoptive parent or parents,
or by the prospective adoptive parent and their deceased spouse or
domestic partner, as their child prior to reaching the age of 18 years;
(b)
whether the child was, under the Children's Protection Act 1993 , placed
in the care of the prospective adoptive parent or parents, or the prospective
adoptive parent and their deceased spouse or domestic partner, prior to
reaching the age of 18 years.
(3) In proceedings for
an adoption order relating to a child who is aged 18 years or more on the date
on which the application for the order is made, a parent or guardian of the
child, or any other person who has a proper interest in the application, may
make submissions to the Court (either personally or through a representative).