Adoption helps many families to become complete. Whether you are adopting a stepchild, a newborn, another family member, internationally, or a foster child, it’s crucial to have support systems in place. For many families, that support system includes a seasoned adoption attorney.
How Can an Adoption Attorney Help Me?
An adoption lawyer, sometimes referred to as an adoption law attorney, is licensed to handle adoption law matters. In general, they help protect the parental rights of adoptive parents, but they can also represent mothers relinquishing their rights.
An adoption attorney can help you through the entire legal process of infant or child adoption. They will assist you in finding the right adoption agency or independent adoptee and protect your legal rights in the process. Here’s how an adoption lawyer can help you:
- Locates a reputable adoption agency or helps arrange for private adoption
- Drafts paperwork on your behalf
- Offers ongoing legal counsel and support
- Answer questions about the process as they come up
- Helps you meet your contractual obligations
- Negotiates any terms and conditions of the adoption
- Communicates with adoption agencies
- Is present at all necessary court appearances
- Handles legal actions or disputes if they arise during or after the adoption
- Stays up to date with local, state, and federal laws
- Completes other tasks to facilitate an adoption lawfully
Because the adoption process can be complicated and lengthy, many parents feel reassured by having an adoption lawyer on their side. Many aspects of the adoption process can seem unfair to expectant parents. Even still, hiring an experienced adoption attorney ensures that you take every possible step to bring your child home as soon as possible.
Do You Need a Lawyer to Adopt?
You are not required to have a lawyer for an adoption. However, adoption lawyers can provide much-needed legal advice, guidance, and support during the often challenging, stressful, and emotional adoption process. Remember that every case is unique. However, you may need an adoption lawyer if any of the following applies to you:
- You are worried about how long it will take to adopt a baby or child
- You have concerns about completing paperwork, missing deadlines, and understanding applicable laws
- You are unsure of how to interpret a specific law for your particular situation
- You have had a previous strong adoption prospect fall through
- You are asked to sign contracts and wonder about the documents’ fairness or your rights
- You know or suspect you are facing discrimination based on your race, sex, or religious beliefs
While adoptions are indeed family matters, they are also complex legal proceedings. Any legal mistakes could jeopardize your hard work or cause substantial delays. Since time matters when you are trying to grow your family, many parents choose to work with a lawyer for their adoption.
Meet with an Experienced Adoption Attorney Today
No matter where you are in the adoption process, you stand to benefit from meeting with an experienced adoption attorney. They can help make this process easier and potentially even faster for you. Parents who use an attorney typically have a smoother adoption experience than those who don’t.