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Randall Bruce Hicks
also known as The Stepparent Adoption Center, The Adult Adoption Center
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About Randall
Biography
Hi, I'm Randall Hicks and I'm proud to have dedicated my 39 years as an attorney exclusively to adoption. I focus on adult adoption and step parent adoption. For adult adoption (adopting someone aged 18+), you can learn more about that at my RandallHicks.com website. For step parent adoption (of children under 18), you can learn more at my StepparentAdoptionCenter.com website.
I'm unique among attorneys:
- I have a low flat-fee so you know your exact cost in advance.
- I offer free, very detailed Zoom consultations.
- I have a simple one-page retainer.
The best way to learn more about me is to read my 250+ 5-star reviews (totaled from Avvo/Google/Yelp) from my past clients. I have more 5-star reviews than any adoption attorney in California for one simple reason: I am 100% dedicated to serving my clients in creating their families. I look forward to meeting you and seeing if we are a good match to work together.
Randall Hicks limits his practice to adoption, mainly step parent and adult adoption. A+ rating by BBB. 39 years experience. Flat-fee pricing. Free Zoom consultation. Serving all California (with offices in Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange & Riverside Counties). Over 250 5-star reviews.
Hi, I'm Randy Hicks and I limit my practice to step parent and adult adoption and I've branded my law offices accordingly. Please visit my websites StepparentAdoptionCenter.com and AdultAdoptionCenter.com. Free Zoom consultations, flat-fee pricing & 250+ 5-star reviews across Google/Yelp/Avvo etc.
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
Adoption
100%
40 years | 2,000 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Check
- Credit Card
Licenses
Licensed in California for 39 years
State: California
Acquired: 1986
No misconduct found
Location
Stepparent Adoption Center / StepparentAdoptionCenter.org
(818) 582-2374
Fax
15260 Ventura Blvd, Suite 1200, Sherman Oaks, CA, 91403
stepparentadoptioncenter.orgLaw Office of Randall Hicks / RandallHicks.com
(949) 517-7525
Mobile
11801 Pierce Street #200, Riverside, CA, 92505
stepparentadoptioncenter.orgStepparent Adoption Center / StepparentAdoptionCenter.com
(949) 517-7525
Mobile
4025 Camino Del Rio South, Suite 300, San Diego, CA, 92108
stepparentadoptioncenter.orgStepparent Adoption Center / StepparentAdoptionCenter.com
(949) 517-7525
Mobile
2030 Main Street, Suite 1300, Irvine, CA, 92614
stepparentadoptioncenter.orgAdult Adoption Center / AdultAdoptionCenter.com
(949) 517-7525
Mobile
100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700, Santa Monica, CA, 90401
stepparentadoptioncenter.orgGallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Randall online.
Randall Bruce Hicks's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
197 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (197)
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Case Results (98)
Practice Area Knowledge (88)
Recommendation (69)
Professionalism (59)
Communication Style (57)
Cost of Services (37)
Responsiveness (32)
Character & Conduct (27)
General Knowledge (27)
Advocacy (26)
Compassion (17)
Trustworthiness (13)
Punctuality (5)
Free Consultations (3)
Payment Plans (1)
Staff & Support (1)
Showing 1 - 5 of 17 reviews | Compassion
Posted by VickyPedro | January 23, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Adoption
Exceptional Guidance and Genuine Care Throughout Our Adult Adoption
We had an outstanding experience working with Randy on our son’s adult adoption. From the start, he was incredibly thorough — walking us through each step, explaining what to expect, and making sure we felt informed and comfortable throughout the process. He is also extremely knowledgeable, which gav...
Posted by Chelsea | September 09, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Adoption
The best solution for stepparent adoption
Randy is a pro with decades of experience and compassion for his clients. We spent MONTHS trying to piece the adult stepparent adoption process together ourselves and eventually gave up - too much time, too much paperwork. Finding Randy was a blessing: He's friendly, affordable, quick, and knows ...
Randall Hicks
Replied last September 18, 2025Thanks so much, Chelsea! I greatly appreciate you taking the time to write a review. It was my pleasure to work with you.
Posted by A.J. | May 18, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Adoption
Adult Adoption Made Easy!
Mr. Hicks was a pleasure to work with! The process of adopting my adult step daughter was completely stress free. Mr. Hicks took care of every aspect of the paperwork and the court fees and did it for a very reasonable flat rate. He is a very caring and compassionate person who obviously loves his wo...
Randall Hicks
Replied last May 19, 2025Thanks A.J. for the opportunity to work with you and your family!
Posted by Fernando | May 15, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Adoption
Adoption
We are incredibly grateful for the outstanding service provided by Randy Hicks throughout our adoption journey. From the very beginning, they were compassionate, knowledgeable, and responsive, making a complex and emotional process feel manageable and clear. Their attention to detail and commitment t...
Randall Hicks
Replied last May 15, 2025Thanks so much Fernando! Best wishes to you and your family.
Posted by Tom | October 03, 2024 | Hired Attorney
Adoption Professional Attorney
Randy did a great job , was professional, showed compassion, and the whole process took only a month in a half.
Randall Hicks
Replied last October 03, 2024Big thanks, Tom, for the nice words. I enjoyed working with you. Best wishes.
Randall Bruce Hicks's Lawyer Endorsements
"I wholeheartedly endorse Attorney Hicks. He has years of experience, a great reputation in the legal community, and a keen knowledge of how to maneuver a case successfully through the Court system. In addition, Mr. Hicks shows a compassion for his clients. It is clear he truly cares about the families he assists in their legal matters."
"I have worked with Randy Hicks on several matters and have always found him to be very knowledgeable and easy to work with. My area of practice does not involve adoption law, and it is nice to have a "go to" guy when I need help."
"Randy is an outstanding attorney and adoption advocate - for many years he has produced the book :"Adopting in America - How to Adopt Within One Year" - about to come out in its sixth edition - to assist families in becoming parents. He is a true adoption advocate. As the immediate Past-President of the Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys - I am honored to know and endorse him."
"Randy is a smart, ethical, and competent attorney. As the published author of a definitive guide to adoption, he can be counted upon for accurate advice, as well as prompt communication and vigorous representation."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Randy is smart, responsive and detail-oriented. He practices adoption law with the highest of ethics. Perfect attributes for an adoption attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer. Every time I have worked with Randy, I have found him professional, caring and ethical. I highly endorse him."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have had the pleasure of working with Mr. Hicks on adoption matters between his state (CA) and mine (NJ). As an adoption attorney myself I found him extremely easy to work with, totally responsive and available, and highly ethical. I was also impressed by the care and concern he had for his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer without qualification. I have worked with him on a number of matters and each has been handled extremely well, in a professionalo, efficient, and caring manner."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have worked with Randy off and on for years, and have always found him to be knowledgeable, conscientious and ethical."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Randy for many years while practicing in the area of adoption law. He has vast experience handling many types of adoption cases, including intercountry adoptions and re-adoptions. I recommend him without hesitation."
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Experience
Honors
2022
Client's Choice, Avvo
2021
Client's Choice, Avvo
2020
Client's Choice, Avvo
2019
Clients' Choice Award, Avvo
2018
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2018
Clients' Choice Award, Avvo
2017
Clients' Choice Award, AVVO
2016
Clients' Choice Award, AVVO
2006
Author Award, City of Los Angeles, American Business Women's Association
2005
Best Debut Mystery Novel (for The Baby Game), Editors of Mystery Ink
1985
First Place - Nathan Burkan Memorial Writing Competition, ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers)
1985
First Place - F. Lee Bailey National Moot Court Award, National University
Work Experience
1993 - Present
Sole practitioner, Law Offices of Randall Hicks
1991 - 1992
Partner, Nunez and Hicks
1988 - 1992
Sole Practitioner, Law Offices Of Randall Hicks
1986 - 1987
Associate, Law Offices of Christian Van Deusen
Associations
2018 - Present
Academy of California Adoption LawyersMember - Membership Committee
2017 - Present
Better Business BureauMember (A+ rating)
1988 - Present
United States Supreme Court BarMember
1986 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
2020 - 2022
Academy of California Adoption LawyersCo-Chairperson, Technology
2017 - 2023
Academy of California Adoption LawyersFellow
1994 - 2004
Academy of California Adoption Lawyers
1992 - 2016
American Academy of Adoption AttorneysFellow
1988 - 1994
Orange County Adoption CouncilTreasurer
Sample of Legal Cases
In re Bridget and Lucy R.
Appellate court ruled for adoptive parents
In Re Wanomi P.
A case won in the California appellate court
Jinny N. v. Superior Court
Adopting mother/petitioner won in appellate court
Education
1986
Pepperdine University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1980
California State University, Long Beach
MA - Masters
1976
California State University, Fullerton
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2008
Resolve Adoption Seminar
How to adopt
2008
CBS This Morning
legal issues in adoption
2002
Academy of California Adoption Lawyers, practice seminar
Adoption
1997
Mike & Mady Show (NBC)
legal and emotional issues in adoption
1996
The Home Show (Family Network)
legal issues in adoption
1996
North American Council for Adoptable Children (NACAC)
adoption
1996
John and Leeza from Hollywood (NBC)
legal issues in adoption
1991
Adoption Forum (PBS)
Educational TV series on adoption
1990
Orange County Adoption Faire
Adoption
Publications
2018
WordSlinger Press
ADOPTING IN AMERICA: How to Adopt Within One Year (2018-19 edition)
2017
Randall Hicks authored "Talking About Adoption With Your Child" section
ALLY'S BIG BOOK OF FRIENDS: Adoption Stories (Randall Hicks authored section within book)
2017
WordSlinger Press
PARENTING: 50 One-Minute DOs and DON'Ts for Moms and Dads
2016
WordSlinger Press
STEP PARENTING: 50 One-Minute DOs & DON'Ts for Stepdads & Stepmoms
2008
California Lawyer Magazine
In Pro Per: Man of Mystery
2008
Parent Guide News
Adoption: The Process is Easier Than You May Think
2007
2007
How To Non-fiction, Penguin Publishing/Perigee Trade
ADOPTION: The Essential Guide to Adopting Quickly and Safely
2005
Fiction novel - WordSlinger Press
The Baby Game
2005
How to guide, WordSlinger Press
ADOPTING IN AMERICA: How To Adopt Within One Year
1999
Non-fiction how to legal guide
ADOPTING IN CALIFORNIA: How To Adopt Within One Year
1995
Fiction - children's book
Adoption Stories for Young Children
1994
Orange County Lawyer Magazine
How to Terminate Parental Rights
1993
Resolve National Newsletter
Selecting an Adoption Attorney
1989
Orange County Medical Association
The Role of the Physician in Adoption
1988
Orange County Psychologist
The Psychologist's Role in Adoption
1988
Physician Assistant
Alternatives in Adoption
1988
The Female Patient
Alternatives in Adoption
1988
Orange County Bar Association
How to Handle Adoptions in Orange County
1985
Hastings Communications and Entertainment Law Journal
Requiem for a Parody
Languages
English
French
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Can I terminate rights on ex husband, son is 7 autistic, ex has been in jail since before son was born, my husband can adopt.?
10 Sep 2024
Q&A
Can I adapt an adult from foreign country?
16 Dec 2019
Q&A
How To adopt a child
20 Dec 2019
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
Do California Adoptive Parents Have to Appear in Court for the Final Adoption Hearing?
14 Apr 2017
Legal Guide
California Stepparent Adoptions Can Now Be Finalized in Three Months
14 Apr 2017
Legal Guide
The Adoption Tax Credit
12 Jan 2011