Overseas Adoption of a Relative

My SIL has a neice (Soobin) whose parents no longer want her. They are from Korea and Soobin's natural mother left when she was 6mo. Her father brought her to Australia to live with my SIL and BIL. My SIL has had 2 ectopic pg's and has had both tubes removed from the damage - also she is >40 so having a baby naturally or through IVF was going to be too risky and expensive.

Anyway, they wanted to adopt Soobin and raise her as their own, but there is no precedent for adoption within a family. Soobin is actually their neice, and technically she has parents, they just don't want her. It would have been easier if she wasn't related, but anyway....

Soobin has used up all of her allowable visa times (she is now 5 years old) and has spent about 18mths on and off here, but has been in Korea permanently for the last 3 years straight. My SIL goes over there to be with her for a few months at a time, but it is very difficult for all of them.

The Aus Govt may allow Soobin back into the country next year when she is old enough to go to school here, but she will be only under the guardianship of my SIL and BIL.

Does anyone know of a similar situation or of any way of us sorting this out so that Soobin can stay here? The immigration people told us there was no hope except to get her back here for her education (and they haven't sorted this out fully yet either, so we don't know for sure if she'll be back next year or what). Any information anyone has would be great.

Thanks!

I have no help I'm sorry, but I just wanted to say how awful the sitution is!
The poor little girl shuttled back and forth between Korea and Australia, away from the family who love her and want her, and your SIL & BIL wanting her and not legally able to keep her!

There must be SOMETHING out there that could help with this sitution? What about a children's amnesty group? If they can gte someone on side to help them it may be easier.

Hope it all gets sorted out soon and she is able to join her family and start her new life as an Australian!

I think so many of the adoption laws and rules and redtape very often does not appear to have the child's best interest in mind. I cant understand why when there is someone who is willing to love a child and give them a wonderful life when they would not normally have either love or a good life, why on earth wouldnt that be the first most important factor!?

So many children out there with no-one, no home, no parents, no love in their lives and many people in the world willing to provide them with all these things and more, yet they are not allowed because of politics and beaurocracy bullcr@p!

I'll step down now :soapbox:

And just add that I truly hope it works out for your SIL and little Soobin (gorgeous name, by the way). Katanya's suggestion of a children's amnesty or something might be worth looking into... You would think as they are family that it would be SO much easier. Perhaps they could speak to a lawyer who specialises in that field and see what chance they may have if they were to request it through the courts?


All the best to your SIL & BIL in the meantime.


Keen

As a lawyer who works in the family law area, I have to tell you to advise your BIL & SIL to go to see a lawyer who specialises in international adoptions.

It is certainly possible to adopt a relative from overseas, especially if they are orphaned or abandoned. There are ways and means of getting around the immigration rules, especially for children.

Best wishes.

Thanks for the advice Divvy - I'll pass it on to them.

That is great info Divvy, Hope things go well for little Soobin, keep us updated!

Hi,

Perhaps an appointment with a Migration Agent will help to clarify details of what they need to do.

Good luck!

Jeanette

P.S. I taught Korean students when I was working in Malaysia -- what a handful!! LOL!!!

Can't wait to see how they go, I'm sure they will be sucessful and I can't wait to see Soobin :)

Tell your SIL to join BB

Jeanette, I've had to remove the link you posted as we don't allow links to external sites at all. If you would like to pass on the info, please feel free to email the link....

Any updates on Soobin?

Jeanette

Hi. Nothing to say really. Soobin is still in Korea until next year when she will come here to go to school. My BIL and SIL haven't seemed to do anything for ages about it, so I guess they are resigned to the fact that she will stay there again this year and come here next. My SIL has recently (last week) returned from this year's 5 month trip to stay with Soobin in Korea, so I guess that's it until she comes back for good. I really don't know what to do with them because they don't seem to be fighting to have her here sooner. I certainly would be! I've read up a little on your story too Ragged Blossom, so I know you fought to get what you wanted! Good on you, and thanks for thinking of us!