Adopting a child is a way to give back to your community and enrich not only the child's life, but also your own life. Before you can sign the paperwork to officially take guardianship of a child, there are a number of steps that you must complete. While you can go through most of these steps on your own and with the help of the adoption agency, it doesn't hurt to get a family attorney on your side. In addition to dealing with divorce, separation, and custody issues, family attorneys frequently represent people who are trying to adopt children. Here are three times that you should hire an attorney during this process.
If You Feel The Odds Are Against You
While it's common for traditional couples to adopt children, other people frequently want to adopt, too. For example, if you're a same-sex couple, you might be eager to adopt. Or, you might even be a single person who is thinking about adoption. If you feel that the adoption agency might discriminate against you to some degree because you don't fit the "traditional" picture of someone who wishes to adopt, it's a good idea to hire a family attorney who has experience representing prospective adoptive parents. He or she will make sure that the agency is treating you fairly.
During The Visit To Your Home
As part of the adoption process, the agency will send someone to your home to assess your living environment. The adoption agency needs to feel confident that you have an environment that is appropriate for a child, and this phase of the process can be a nerve-wracking one for you. If you and the agent who visits your home see anything differently, it can be your word versus his or hers. You might feel more confident with a family attorney present for this part of the adoption process, he or she can advocate for you in the event of the agent expressing a concern of any type.
When You Wish To Contest Something
In some cases, you'll feel the need to contest something in the adoption process. For example, it's common to go through a placement with the child — a period of time in which the child lives with you but before you finalize the adoption. It's possible that you might want a little more time to make up your mind, but the adoption agency could stand firm about this timeline. A family attorney can advocate for you to extend the placement period to suit you.
Contact a family lawyer, like Marlene Dancer Adams, for more help.
Share28 November 2018
My name is Laura, and I am an attorney specializing in helping clients leave violent marriages. The law can help victims be safe, but many potential clients cannot afford legal services and may be afraid to pursue divorce. They may not be aware of services that have been created to keep them hidden from violent ex-partners and to help them be awarded assets in a divorce so they can provide for themselves and their families. I hope to raise awareness of these issues as well as help direct people in danger to facilities where they can receive guidance and financial assistance.