Adoption Services at Helping Hand Family and Divorce Attorneys

Helping Hand Family and Divorce Attorneys is a law firm that specialize in all areas of family law, including adoption. Adoption can be a beautiful and rewarding experience for both the adoptive parents and the child. At Helping Hand, we understand that the adoption process can be overwhelming and emotional, which is why we are here to guide you every step of the way. Our team of experienced attorneys will work closely with you to ensure a smooth and successful adoption journey.

Domestic Adoption

Domestic adoption refers to the adoption of a child who is a citizen of the same country as the adoptive parents. In the United States, domestic adoption is regulated by state laws and agencies, which vary by state.

There are several types of domestic adoption, including:

• Private adoption: This type of adoption involves a direct placement of a child with adoptive parents, typically through an adoption agency or attorney. Private adoption can be an open or closed adoption, depending on the preferences of the adoptive parents and birth parents.

• Foster care adoption: This type of adoption involves the adoption of a child who has been in the foster care system. Many children in foster care are available for adoption because their biological parents' rights have been terminated due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Foster care adoption can be an open or closed adoption, depending on the preferences of the adoptive parents and the child.

• Step-parent adoption :This type of adoption involves the adoption of a child by the spouse of the child's biological parent. Step-parent adoption can be an open or closed adoption, depending on the preferences of the adoptive parent, the child, and the biological parent.

The process for domestic adoption typically includes:

• Choosing an adoption professional: This can be an adoption agency, adoption attorney, or both. It's important to choose a professional who is licensed and experienced in the type of adoption you are pursuing.

• Completing a home study: A home study is an evaluation of the adoptive parents' home and suitability to adopt a child. The home study typically includes interviews, background checks, and a review of financial and personal records.

• Matching with a child: Once the adoptive parents are approved for adoption, they can begin the process of matching with a child. This can be through a private adoption agency, the foster care system, or directly with a birth parent.

• Finalizing the adoption: After the adoptive parents have had the opportunity to get to know the child and the child has had the opportunity to get to know the adoptive parents, the adoption can be finalized in court.

International Adoption

International adoption refers to the adoption of a child who is a citizen of a different country than the adoptive parents. International adoption is regulated by the laws of both the country of the adoptive parents and the country of the child.

There are several types of international adoption, including:

• Orphan adoption: This type of adoption involves the adoption of a child who has been orphaned and has no known living parents.

• Abandonment adoption: This type of adoption involves the adoption of a child who has been abandoned by their parents and has no known living parents.

• Private adoption: This type of adoption involves the adoption of a child through a private adoption agency or attorney.

The process for international adoption typically includes:

• Choosing an adoption professional: This can be an adoption agency, adoption attorney, or both. It's important to choose a professional who is licensed and experienced in the type of adoption you are pursuing.

• Completing a home study: A home study is an evaluation of the adoptive parents' home and suitability to adopt a child. The home study typically includes interviews, background checks, and a review of financial and personal records.

• Applying to adopt from a specific country: Each country has its own adoption process and requirements for adoptive parents. The adoptive parents must meet the requirements of the country they wish to adopt from and complete any necessary paperwork.

• Matching with a child: Once the adoptive parents are approved for adoption, they can begin the process of matching with a child. This can be through a private adoption agency or directly with a birth parent or orphanage in the child's country.

• Traveling to the child's country: The adoptive parents may need to travel to the child's country to finalize the adoption and bring the child home.

• Finalizing the adoption: After the adoptive parents have had the opportunity to get to know the child and the child has had the opportunity to get to know the adoptive parents, the adoption can be finalized in court.

Stepparent Adoption

Stepparent adoption refers to the adoption of a child by the spouse of the child's biological parent. Stepparent adoption can be an open or closed adoption, depending on the preferences of the adoptive parent, the child, and the biological parent.

The process for stepparent adoption typically includes:

• Filing a petition for adoption: The adoptive parent must file a petition for adoption with the court.

• Completing a home study: A home study is an evaluation of the adoptive parent's home and suitability to adopt a child. The home study typically includes interviews, background checks, and a review of financial and personal records.

• Obtaining consent: In most cases, the biological parent must consent to the adoption. If the biological parent is unable or unwilling to consent, the adoptive parent may need to prove that the biological parent has abandoned or neglected the child.

• Finalizing the adoption: After the adoptive parent has had the opportunity to get to know the child and the child has had the opportunity to get to know the adoptive parent

Adult Adoption

Adult adoption refers to the adoption of an adult by another adult. Adult adoption is typically used for estate planning purposes, to formalize a parent-child relationship, or to legally change a person's name.

The process for adult adoption typically includes:

• Filing a petition for adoption: The adoptive parent must file a petition for adoption with the court.

• Completing a home study: A home study is an evaluation of the adoptive parent's home and suitability to adopt a child. In the case of adult adoption, the home study may not be required, but it may be necessary to provide proof of a close relationship between the adoptive parent and the adult being adopted.

• Obtaining consent: The adult being adopted must consent to the adoption.

• Finalizing the adoption: After the adoptive parent and the adult being adopted have had the opportunity to get to know each other, the adoption can be finalized in court.

Foster Care Adoption

Foster care adoption refers to the adoption of a child who has been in the foster care system. Many children in foster care are available for adoption because their biological parents' rights have been terminated due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Foster care adoption can be an open or closed adoption, depending on the preferences of the adoptive parents and the child.

The process for foster care adoption typically includes:

• Contacting a foster care agency: The adoptive parents must contact a foster care agency to begin the process of adopting a child from foster care.

• Completing a home study: A home study is an evaluation of the adoptive parents' home and suitability to adopt a child. The home study typically includes interviews, background checks, and a review of financial and personal records.

• Receiving training: The adoptive parents may be required to complete training on topics such as parenting, trauma, and the foster care system.

• Matching with a child: Once the adoptive parents are approved for adoption, they can begin the process of matching with a child. This may involve working with a social worker to identify a child who is a good fit for the adoptive family.

• Finalizing the adoption: After the adoptive parents have had the opportunity to get to know the child and the child has had the opportunity to get to know the adoptive parents, the adoption can be finalized in court.

Private Adoption

Private adoption refers to the adoption of a child through a private adoption agency or attorney. Private adoption can be an open or closed adoption, depending on the preferences of the adoptive parents and birth parents.

The process for private adoption typically includes:

• Choosing an adoption professional: The adoptive parents must choose an adoption professional, such as an adoption agency or attorney, to assist with the adoption process. It's important to choose a professional who is licensed and experienced in the type of adoption the adoptive parents are pursuing.

• Completing a home study: A home study is an evaluation of the adoptive parents' home and suitability to adopt a child. The home study typically includes interviews, background checks, and a review of financial and personal records.

• Matching with a child: Once the adoptive parents are approved for adoption, they can begin the process of matching with a child. This can be through a private adoption agency or directly with a birth parent.

• Finalizing the adoption: After the adoptive parents have had the opportunity to get to know the child and the child has had the opportunity to get to know the adoptive parents, the adoption can be finalized in court.

Open Adoption

Open adoption refers to an adoption in which the adoptive parents and birth parents have ongoing contact and communication. This can include regular communication through letters, phone calls, or visits, or more frequent contact, such as regular in-person visits.

Open adoption can be beneficial for all parties involved, as it allows the child to know and understand their birth family, while also giving the adoptive parents a chance to get to know the child's birth family. It can also help to establish a sense of trust and understanding between the adoptive and birth families.

The process for open adoption is similar to the process for private adoption, with the addition of establishing a communication and contact plan with the birth parents. The adoptive parents and birth parents will work with the adoption professional to determine the level of contact that is appropriate for their specific situation. The adoption professional will also assist with any necessary documentation and legal requirements for the open adoption.

Closed Adoption

Closed adoption refers to an adoption in which there is no ongoing contact or communication between the adoptive parents and birth parents. In a closed adoption, the identity of the birth parents is typically not disclosed to the adoptive parents or the child.

Closed adoption was more common in the past, but open adoption has become more popular in recent years. Closed adoption may still be an option for some adoptive parents, depending on the preferences of the birth parents and the laws of the state in which the adoption takes place.

The process for closed adoption is similar to the process for open adoption, with the exception of the lack of ongoing contact and communication with the birth parents. The adoptive parents and birth parents will work with the adoption professional to determine the level of contact, if any, that is appropriate for their specific situation. The adoption professional will also assist with any necessary documentation and legal requirements for the closed adoption.

If you are considering adoption, we encourage you to contact us for a consultation. Our attorneys will take the time to listen to your unique situation and help you determine the best course of action for your family. We are here to help you every step of the way and make the adoption process as smooth and stress-free as possible.