3 Reasons To Hire A Lawyer When Adopting A Child
If you want to add to your family by adopting a child that isn't biologically your own, it's important to follow all applicable rules and regulations to ensure the legality of the adoption. Many adoptive parents find that an attorney who practices family law is a valuable resource to have on their team. Keep reading to learn a few reasons you should hire a lawyer when adopting a child.
An Attorney Can Identify and Address Potential Problems in Advance
During the adoption process, there is an assortment of items that can delay the finalization of the adoption. Perhaps a relative plans to contest the adoption, or maybe the birth mother still has a chance to regain custody of the child.
An experienced attorney will review your adoption case and identify any potential areas of concern. They'll also work with you to address these issues before they bring the adoption to a screeching halt.
For example, assume the child has been taken by CPS from the birth parents due to neglect. The parents still have the chance to regain custody of the child. Your lawyer can look at the specific procedures for your state and help you determine if it's likely they'll be able to regain custody.
Or, if you're dealing with a distant relative who wants to stop the adoption, your lawyer will talk to you as to whether the relative has a chance at gaining custody. Even if they have a chance, your attorney can help you prove that it's in the best interest of the child to remain with you.
Your Attorney Can Make Sure You Aren't Inadvertently Missing Any Steps
The adoption process can take years to complete, and there are a lot of tasks you have to complete along the way. Your attorney will help you remain up-to-date on the tasks that still need to be completed and help ensure that any paperwork or legal documents are submitted on time.
Depending on the specifics surrounding the adoption, you might not know what your next move should even be. An attorney will make sure that you're properly guided throughout the whole adoption process.
An Attorney Can Assist With Drawing Up the Terms of the Adoption
In some situations, you may need to draw up paperwork that defines the terms of the adoption. Maybe the adoption will be closed with no contact at all with the birth parents, or perhaps it's an open adoption and you agree that the birth parents can see the child once a year.
All of these details need to be included in the adoption paperwork so that all parties understand what they're agreeing to.