I've only posted one thread on Mumsnet and haven't been back here since then so apologies if this seems like an imposition and that I only come to this community for advice. Will try to give some back... I have been truly sucked into Mumsnet tonight and have been reading various threads for the last 3 hours!
My DH is South African and has a 12 year old son (DSS) who lives with DH's parents. DH's ex (DSS's Mother... DH and the Ex were never married) has very little to do with DSS but the arrangement between her and my in-laws is informal. We don't think she will oppose any moves to bring him to live with us (famous last words...)
I have met and get on with DSS well - I've spent a couple of months on two separate occasions in SA. We speak on the phone a lot, he's a great kid. He wants to come and live with us and we want that too. DH and I have discussed me formally adopting him. We have spoken to DSS about this and he wants me to adopt him (God, it's hard to be concise when this is in fact a complicated matter).
From some basic internet research I know I will have to use the services of a SA qualified social worker and we'll have to get the courts involved, but what I am not clear about is what, if anything, we will need to do here in terms of getting any social services or court involvement here in the UK. I guess i need to talk to a family lawyer but just wondered if anyone had any experience of adopting from a different jurisdiction, and in particular from SA?
There are, of course, a whole host of other questions that I have relating to being a stepparent, helping a child to adjust to a new culture, getting him into a school etc (hence avid trawling of Mumsnet tonight) but I want to contain this thread to legal issues.
I'd be very grateful for any advice.