On 25/11, Guinness World Records certified William Stains, now 79, as the "Oldest Man Adopted". He officially became the legal "son" of Jessica and Ryan Fiscus, a couple in Enola, Pennsylvania, in 11/2020.

"We believe he deserves a family", Ryan, 32, said of their decision to adopt a man 42 years his senior.

Ryan Fiscus (left) and William Stains in Enola, Pennsylvania, US. Photo: The People.

Ryan Fiscus (left) and William Stains in Enola, Pennsylvania, US. Photo: The People.

Ryan knew Stains from childhood, when Stains served as an umpire for his youth baseball games. Their close relationship spanned decades. After marrying Ryan, Jessica quickly grew to consider Stains family. They often shared meals, played bingo, and went on picnics together.

Born in 1946, Stains worked as an auto mechanic, teacher, and sports umpire. He married and had a wife and three sons. However, his wife passed away from cancer in 2015, and his three sons later died. His parents, William Sr. and Kathryn, died in 2003, and his only brother also passed away. Stains lived alone, facing old age without support.

The idea for this unusual family began with a joke in 2019 in Ryan's garage. Ryan, a member of the American Veterans Organization, complained that Stains, also a veteran, could not access certain benefits because he lacked a family guarantor.

"If you want him to enjoy family benefits, the only way is to adopt him as your son", Ryan joked. Stains immediately replied, "Okay, do it".

The Ryan Fiscus family with William Stains, receiving the Guinness Record on 25/11. Photo: The People.

The Ryan Fiscus family with William Stains, receiving the Guinness Record on 25/11. Photo: The People.

The three then realized this was the most serious and meaningful way to connect their lives. They filed a petition with the Cumberland County Court. The 14-month vetting process included background checks, interviews, and recommendation letters. The judge who approved the application exclaimed, "This is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in this courtroom".

After the procedure was complete, Stains continued to live independently in his home near his adoptive family, but he was no longer alone. He fully participates in family activities, teaching Ryan's 9-year-old son sports and lessons about loyalty. The child calls his father's "adoptive son" grandpa.

"I never thought I would have a family again at this age", Stains shared on the day he received the Guinness record.

According to Pennsylvania's adult adoption laws, Ryan and Jessica could not adopt Stains as their father. Instead, they had to adopt him as their son for three reasons:

First, if Stains were to become Ryan and Jessica's adoptive father, he would have to be the one to file the petition with the court. However, given his age and loneliness, Stains needed care, so Ryan and Jessica initiated this legal action to protect him.

Second, within the US social security system, benefits typically flow from the contributor (e.g., insurance holder, member) to dependents (e.g., spouse, children). Designating Stains as their "son" would automatically make him a legitimate beneficiary of the medical, insurance, and social benefits associated with Ryan's membership. If he were designated as their father, the procedure to prove "father dependent on child" for benefits would be far more complex than the "child dependent on parents" relationship.

Third, due to regulations concerning guardianship and medical decision-making, by Stains becoming their "son," Ryan and Jessica (as legal parents) would have full authority to sign medical documents, decide on treatment options, or manage his finances if he becomes frail or loses cognitive ability, without needing complex power of attorney procedures.

Ngoc Ngan (According to The People)