My niece arrived US with B1 visa. She is 13 years old. We want to finally adopt her. Her parents are living apart, the marriage is actual dead. But nobody mentions to the child that her parents' marriage is dead. They tried to give her the impression that she still have the family. My hu*****and and I want to adopt her so she can have an environment of both parents while not to dealing with the question she is going to have about her parents. Her parents are consent that we adopt her.
Shall we start with filing custody in the local court or filing adoption? or shall we go to China to file the adoption? The child is in the US and we (also the parents) want her to stay here with us. We need her custody so that she can go to school. Is filing petition for custody the first step for adoption?
Anybody can give advice on this?
Thank you.