Adoptions
While divorce can tear a family apart, child adoption can unite and add to a family. Adoption is the creation of a new parent-child relationship. As a family law attorney, there are few things more satisfying than the successful completion of an adoption. A child receives a loving home and a new start on a happy life, and the adoptive parents receive a gift beyond words. It is both a legal and emotional process, and we can assist you with the legal process as you focus on your new family.
Before a child may be adopted, the non-custodial biological parent(s) must relinquish his/her parental rights or have those rights taken away through court action. A person’s right to parent his/her child is a constitutionally protected fundamental right and is therefore hard to overcome involuntarily. For example, sometimes a custodial parent remarries after a divorce and wants the new step-parent to adopt a child from her previous relationship. In many cases, the non-custodial biological parent agrees to the adoption. However, without an agreement, having that person’s parental rights extinguished by a court can be a very stressful and emotional procedure.
We counsel and represent people in areas including:
Independent Adoption
Agency Adoption
Stepparent Adoption
International Adoption
Interstate Adoption
Open Adoption
Our services include, but are not limited to, representation in adoption legal proceedings, court appearances, document preparation, adoption counseling, assistance in networking and advertising, preparing open adoption agreements, etc.