How do I go about adopting my sister in law?

OK, so its a bit of an odd situation, but my mother in law asked if I can adopt her youngest daughter, who is only 10 years old. Long story short, they are from a very poor country,with limited resources. My sister in law is exceptionally intelligent I am told, and her mom wants her to come live with me in the U.S. so that she has more opportunities for education (as well as three stable meals a day). She is willing to grant me full guardianship, but i don't know where to start. My husband is still not a citizen, so he can't sponsor her in. Where do I start? Do I contact a lawyer here, or do I begin there?
Additional Details
if it helps, she is from Gambia.

Zainab A

it does sound a bit dodgy that ur married to a guy and you wana adopt his 10yr old sis and have to look after her. but if u realy wana go ahead with the whole thing and u trust them (and also u can say NO! to the next person they wana tag along EVEN if its 5 yrs down the line) you have to remember just because ur in the U.S and is financialy ok doesnt mean u ow ur needy in laws anything. voluntary help is one thing but putting a 10 yr old in ur responsibily is another. u hav to relise ur not her real parenst and she knows it. you will never be able to treat her like ur own, disipline her like ur own.

but aside from that .. go to your local council (im in england so it might be different) they should give you all the papers and info . and if its not them who deal with this then they should tell you who to go to!

well good luck and make sure u kno everything about wat ur doing, read books about adoption to know exactly wat ur getting urself into. makesure ur hubby dont get in between you and ur adopted daughter like wen she's done somthing wronge and ur tryin to disipilin her (verbaly ofcourse, i dont aid phisicaly)

and finally you should know the girl and how she is befor taking her in so you kno who ur gona live with .. e.g if she has a strong forcing attitude it may affect you life mentaly like stress you out.

but once again good luck and i really hope it works out for you because saying all this i still think adopting is a great thing and wat ur doing is a great deed, and may u be rewarded in return. i also want to adopt in the future to help out a child in need but maybe its just that she's ur sis in law, just ... apart from that - its a great thing ur doing!

ronimg

Start with an adoption or family law attorney in your area and the consulate for Gambia.

Bethany J

The answer is NO. You will need to provide for this girl and soon her Mom will come along, too. Then there will be two extra people in your home. Next will come the rest of the family. Soon you will be asked to leave because you are in the way. NO way to this one.

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