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The Daily Dish The Real Housewives of New Jersey

Rachel Fuda Opens Up About Why She Waited to Try to Adopt Her Stepson, Jaiden (UPDATED)

The Season 13 addition revealed why an attorney told her “don’t bother” proceeding with the adoption.

By Shannon Raphael

UPDATED (June 7, 9:42 A.M.): Rachel confirmed what was shared about the status of her process to adopt her stepson, Jaiden, on the RHONJ Season 13 finale during Part 2 of the Season 13 reunion. "We have completed the adoption," she told host Andy Cohen. "[It's] finalized." 

How to Watch

Watch The Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 14 premiere May 5th at 8/9c on Bravo and stream next day on Peacock.

What's more, Rachel and Dolores Catania shut down rumors that she "only adopted Jaiden for the show." As Dolores put it, "She talked about adopting Jaiden years ago."

UPDATED (May 31, 10:44 A.M.): Viewers learned more about Rachel Fuda's plans to adopt her stepson, Jaiden, in the final moments of The Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 13 finale

Rachel has officially adopted Jaiden. To celebrate, the family took a trip to Disney World to hang with her favorite rat, Mickey Mouse.

The original story continues below.

Rachel Fuda is revealing more about the personal journey she took to try to adopt her teenage stepson, Jaiden Fuda, on The Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 13.

Though she married John Fuda in 2017, Rachel didn’t try to formally adopt her stepson until she was in the process of filming RHONJ Season 13. On the May 2 episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Rachel explained why there was such a big delay.

“When John and I got married, [Jaiden] thought he was adopted,” Rachel said. “And we consulted with a family attorney, and they said, ‘Don’t bother. It’s gonna be too tough, it’s gonna be too much money, you’re never gonna get it in New Jersey,’ so it’s been a topic of conversation for years.”

When the spouses met with an attorney on Episode 13 (which you can check out in the clip above), the legal professional confirmed that things could get complicated. The lawyer said that attempts would be made to inform Jaiden’s birth mother about the desired adoption, and that she could obtain her own counsel and object. Rachel revealed that she was concerned about whether this would stress her stepson out.

“I was just scared of the outcome of what it was going to muster up for him,” Rachel said about why she had been hesitant to take the next legal step.

And though she was worried about whether Jaiden’s birth mother would try to get in touch with him — or if she would potentially attempt to stop the adoption process altogether — Rachel never questioned wanting Jaiden to legally be her son.

Rachel Fuda Breaks Down Thinking She May Not Be Able to Adopt Her Stepson

“It’s frustrating,” Rachel said on the show, adding that she would “feel complete” if she could adopt Jaiden. “I’ve done everything for this kid, he’s my son.”

Viewers will have to stay tuned to find out if Rachel will share any further updates on Jaiden’s adoption on RHONJ. Until then, you can check out Rachel’s adorable family posts with her husband, stepson, and daughters, Gianella Jolie and Giuliana Rose, above!

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