Adoption Process Lawyers

Adoption is a legal procedure that allows people to assume the role of a parent to a child, taking on all parental responsibilities. The legal and biological parents’ rights and obligations are transferred to the adoptive parents during this process. The adoption process includes obtaining approval from the court, which is granted after a legal proceeding called an adoption hearing.

What are the Types of Adoption?

There are several types of adoptions, each with unique characteristics:

Agency Adoptions

Both public and private agencies offer adoption services, each with unique characteristics. The state manages public agencies, while the state regulates private agencies.

Both types of agencies can place children with potential adoptive parents. The children placed for adoption, the cost, and the duration of the process may differ between public and private agencies.

Public Adoption Agencies

Public adoption agencies generally focus on placing children who are orphans, abandoned, or removed from their parent’s care due to abuse. These children are under the state’s care. For example, a public agency may work with children in foster care who are waiting for a permanent home. The cost of adopting through a public agency is often lower than private agencies, and the process might include additional support services from the state.

Private Adoption Agencies

Private adoption agencies, often affiliated with charitable or religious organizations, place children brought to them by parents or individuals with parental rights for adoption. They work with prospective adoptive parents to find a suitable home for the child. For example, a private adoption agency may specialize in placing infants with adoptive families.

These agencies might offer counseling and support services for both birth parents and adoptive families. The cost of adopting through a private agency can be higher than public agencies, but the process may be more streamlined and personalized.

Independent Adoptions

Also known as private adoptions, these adoptions involve a direct agreement between the biological mother and the prospective adoptive parents, sometimes facilitated by an intermediary like a doctor or clergy member. Independent adoptions can be faster but may be more expensive and regulated, with some states prohibiting them.

For example, a pregnant woman might choose to work directly with a couple she knows or has been introduced to, bypassing an agency altogether. The adoptive parents might cover the birth mother’s medical expenses, but the process may involve more legal work and restrictions.

Open Adoptions

This type of independent adoption allows the birth mother to maintain limited contact with the child after adoption. However, the adoptive parents hold all parental rights. For instance, a birth mother may receive updates and photos of the child or even have scheduled visits.

This type of adoption fosters a relationship between the birth mother and the child while ensuring that the adoptive parents are the child’s primary caregivers.

Stepparent Adoptions

In this type of adoption, a remarried parent and their new spouse adopt a child from a previous relationship. This process requires consent from the other birth parent, which may be denied. For example, a woman who remarries might want her new husband to adopt her child from a previous marriage.

If the child’s biological father agrees, the stepparent adoption can proceed. However, if the biological father denies consent, the stepparent must file a petition in family court to terminate the biological parent’s rights. This could involve proving that the biological father is unfit or has abandoned the child, which can be lengthy and complicated.

What Steps Does the Adoption Process Consist of?

The steps involved in each type of adoption process include the following:

Filing a Petition for Adoption

This initial step involves submitting a formal request to the family court to start the adoption process. The petition contains essential information for the judge to review, such as the names, ages, and addresses of the birth parents, child, and adoptive parents. Additionally, the petition includes details such as:

• The adoptive parents’ statement acknowledging their understanding of their rights and obligations concerning the child.
• The legal grounds or reasons for the termination of the biological parent’s rights.
• A description of the relationship between the adoptive parents and the child, whether familial or nonfamilial.
• A statement highlighting how the adoption serves the child’s best interests.

Providing Notice of the Petition

Once the petition is filed, the adoptive parents must notify all legally interested parties. This ensures everyone knows the adoption process and can voice concerns or objections. Legally interested parties can include the birth parents, adoptive parents, and the child, depending on their age.

This notice may involve the following:

• Sending a written notice to the concerned parties through certified mail.
• Publishing a notice in a local newspaper if the whereabouts of a birth parent is unknown.
• Ensuring that the child, if of a certain age, is informed of the adoption process and their rights.

Attending the Hearing

The final step in the adoption process is attending a hearing before a family court judge.

During the hearing, the judge will:

• Question the adoptive parents under oath to ensure they understand their rights and responsibilities as the child’s new parents.
• Review any documentation or evidence submitted supporting the adoption, such as home study reports, background checks, and financial information.
• Listen to any objections or concerns the parties raise, such as the birth parents or the child.
• Assess whether the adoption is in the child’s best interest, considering factors like the child’s emotional well-being, the adoptive parent’s ability to provide a stable home, and the potential for a loving and supportive environment.

If the judge determines that the adoption is in the child’s best interest, they will issue an order of adoption. This order serves as the official court approval of the adoption, legally establishing the adoptive parents as the child’s new parents and terminating the biological parent’s rights.

Do I Need a Lawyer for Help With The Adoption Process?

If you are considering adopting a child, it is recommended to consult with an adoption lawyer. An experienced adoption attorney in your area can explain the different types of adoption, guide you through the steps of the adoption process, and represent you in court.

How Can LegalMatch Help?

LegalMatch is a legal matching service that can connect you with adoption lawyers in your area who practice adoption law. Using LegalMatch, you can quickly and easily find adoption attorneys with experience with the type of adoption you are interested in pursuing.

To get started with LegalMatch, you simply need to provide some basic information about your adoption case, and we will match you with local lawyers who meet your needs. You can then review the attorneys’ profiles and credentials, read reviews from past clients, and compare their fees to find the right lawyer for you.

Working with an adoption lawyer can help you understand your rights and obligations as an adoptive parent, navigate the legal requirements of the adoption process, and minimize the risk of legal complications. A skilled attorney can also help you prepare for any court appearances and represent you in any legal proceedings during adoption.

Use LegalMatch to find a lawyer today.