By adopting a child, you are taking on many important duties. You will become responsible for the care of your child until he or she becomes an adult, and possibly beyond. You will provide guidance, support, and discipline as your child grows and matures. There will be joyful moments and perhaps some sad ones. Whatever the future may hold, your life will never be the same again.
At The Law Offices of Teresa A. Beyers, we share your excitement about the new addition to your family. We provide cost-effective services designed to complete all necessary steps in the adoption process as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Providing Assistance At All Stages Of The Adoption Process
Los Angeles adoption attorney Teresa Beyers has extensive experience representing adoptive parents. Ms. Beyers can handle all aspects of your adoption. She can:
- Explain the adoption process and your responsibilities as the parent of an adopted child.
- Prepare the adoption petition.
- Help prepare you for the home visit of a social service professional if that is necessary.
- Complete the adoption process and obtain a new birth certificate.
Responsive And Personalized Service
At our law firm, we pride ourselves on the high level of service we provide to our clients. When you choose us to handle your adoption, we will keep you informed of important developments in your case, respond promptly when you call, and work diligently to achieve the adoption in a timely manner. Our goal will be to make the adoption process as smooth and trouble-free as possible.
Our Los Angeles adoption attorney is well-versed in adoption law. We regularly handle traditional adoptions, stepparent adoptions, and adoptions of foster children. Adoption laws play a major role in the entire process, so going into the adoption armed with competent legal representation is ideal.
Traditional Adoptions
Our firm has handled many traditional adoptions since its inception, building a reputation for making the process less stressful from start to finish. From initial consultation through the issuance of a new birth certificate for the adopted child, our Los Angeles adoption attorney helps adoptive parents navigate the confusing adoption process as easily and as quickly as possible.
Stepparent Adoptions
Some of the most touching adoptions occur when a stepparent wishes to take on the full responsibility of parenting their spouse’s child from a former relationship. This type of adoption is an affirmation of the commitment and love a stepparent has for the child. The stepparent, upon adopting a stepchild, assumes the same legal obligations for the child as he/she would for a biological child.
While it is sometimes the case that the natural biological father or mother of the child in question agrees to the adoption, this does not always happen. If consent by the biological parent is not freely given, then in some cases, parental rights may be terminated if the courts fin that the other parent has abandoned the child.
Several variables are used to determine abandonment, including whether or not the other parent pays child support, contacts the child, and visits with the child. Courts must determine that the stability and permanency afforded by the stepparent are in the child’s best interests in order for parental rights to be terminated.
California Adoption FAQs
Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to be rich or have a prominent job to meet the requirements to become an adoptive parent. The main requirement is that you can provide the child with a stable, loving, and safe home. Some of the most often-asked questions about adoption can help you more fully understand the qualification process for California adoptions.
What is the age limit for prospective parents in California adoptions?
There is no age limit for adoptive parents, but the parent must be an adult who is a minimum of 10 years older than the child being adopted. So, if you’re adopting a 17-year-old child, you must be at least 27 years old. Exceptions to this exist, though, such as when the adoptive parent is also the child’s stepparent, aunt, uncle, sibling, or first cousin.
Is an adoptive parent’s spouse required to adopt the child too?
Yes, California law requires that a hopeful parent’s spouse must jointly adopt the child.
Can single individuals adopt a child in California?
Yes. You do not have to be married to adopt a child in the state of California.
Can you adopt a child with a felony on your record?
Adopting a child as a felon is a grey area. Your ability to adopt a child hinges on not just the nature of the felony itself, but if the crime in question is related to abuse or violence of any kind, then you probably cannot adopt a child in the state of California. In fact, the home study required for adoption cannot be approved if any adult in the home (not just the hopeful parents) has been convicted of child abuse, child neglect, spouse abuse, crimes against children, or any sort of violent crime.
What is an Adoption Home Study?
A home study for a California adoption involves a social worker coming to the hopeful parent(s)’ home to inspect it for safety and suitability for a child.
What other tasks are required beyond a home study?
In addition to a home study, would-be parents must submit fingerprints for a criminal background check and complete a physical exam. They must attend adoption training classes and undergo individual interviews with the social worker assigned to their adoption.
Contact a Los Angeles Stepparent Adoption Lawyer
The Law Offices of Teresa A. Beyers in Los Angeles, California, offer a free initial phone consultation. We can meet with you after hours and on weekends by appointment.