Adoption can be an emotional roller coaster, but it is also exciting. It is the process of the transferring the rights of the biological parent(s) to the adoptive parent(s). Adoption is a way to expand your family and to provide a child with a loving home. If you are considering adoption, you may benefit from working with an experienced adoption attorney to help you navigate the process. In the case of a stepparent adoption, we can assess the circumstances and guide you through both the required legal documents and court proceedings.
ADOPTION PROCESS CONSIDERATIONS
Adoptions can occur at the local, interstate, or international level. Placement can be private or facilitated by an agency. As for those that can adopt, they include stepparents, relatives, or foster parents.
Overall, there are many facets to adoption. For instance, subsidies or other types of financial assistance may be provided to people wishing to adopt. This is especially true when the children have special needs.
Other things to know about adoption include:
- An adoption can be open, which allows the adoptive parents to know the identity of the birth parents and vice versa. On the other hand, an adoption can be closed, which means neither party knows the identity of the other.
- Adoption can be the result of surrogacy, in vitro fertilization, or the use of a gestational carrier. These are options used when a couple may be unable to conceive on their own.
- Adoption is now an option for unmarried couples, single people, and same-sex couples wishing to build their families.
Having an experienced attorney on your team will provide the legal resources needed in coordination with your accredited adoption agency.
NAVIGATING THE COMPLEXITIES OF ADOPTION
There are complex issues that can come about during adoption. Specific regulations may apply to some cases, depending on the circumstances. For instance, a case may involve the Indian Child Welfare Act or even The Hague Convention. Adoption cases can involve the termination of parental rights proceeding, contractual agreements, or filing a notice on the Minnesota Fathers’ Adoption registry that allows biological fathers to receive notice of pending adoption proceedings involving their biological children.
Working with an experienced adoption attorney can help both adoptive and biological parents through the process and provide peace of mind. With compassionate and skilled advocacy, you can work through the process efficiently and successfully so that you and your child can move on with your lives together.
