Adoption
Adoption is the process where children are legally and permanently placed with non-biological parents. When adoption occurs, the rights and responsibilities of the natural parents are dissolved, and the task of caring and providing for the child is passed on to the adopting parents. Once the adoption is finalized, there are very few legal differences between adopted and biological children.Why Children are Put Up for Adoption
There are three main reasons why children are put up for adoption:
- Some biological parents do not have the ability or resources to provide adequate care for the child and must give them up.
- The biological parents may have been abusive or neglectful toward the child.
- some children are placed for adoption because the birth parents have passed away.
Hiring an Adoption Attorney
On average, adoptions can cost tens of thousands of dollars and the entire process can span over a few years. Additionally, as there are different adoption laws in various jurisdictions, the adoption process may become very complicated, and require the expertise of a lawyer who specializes in adoption law. If this is the case, make sure you are well-prepared before meeting with an adoption attorney for the very first time.
Types of Adoptions
There are three common kinds of adoptions:
- Private, or independent, adoptions. These are completed between the birth parents and the adopting parents. If the adoption is private, make sure the adoption attorney is aware of all the commitments and arrangements made pertaining to this adoption.
- Adoption agencies. If the adoption occurs through an agency, it would be beneficial for your adoption attorney to have previous experience working with the agency and processing the various paperwork required by the agency.
- International adoption. Because the child will be brought across international borders, it may be necessary for the adoption attorney to be knowledgeable in immigration law.
No matter what type of adoption you are going through, finding a good adoption attorney will be helpful for your case. Since most initial consultations are free, make sure to schedule some appointments with adoption attorneys until you find the one most qualified to handle your case.
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