Adoption can be achieved in a variety of ways. The laws of Alabama provide that any adult person may adopt a minor child. Most adoptions are done by family members, step-parents, or third parties. Any minor child may be adopted. Adults may be adopted under certain circumstances. Those circumstances include if he or she is totally and permanently disabled, if he or she is determined to be mentally retarded, if he or she consents in writing to be adopted and is related in any degree of kinship or is a stepchild, or if he or she consent in writing to be adopted by an adult man and women who are married. (Ala. Code. § 26-10A-6(2)(d)).