[[https://lawtolife.com/]], [[Adoption Lawyer]]
Deciding to apply for adoption is not an easy decision to make as there are many aspects to discuss, some of which that need addressing are those of suitability and the adoption laws.
So if you are planning to adopt a child, it is imperative you have a knowledge of federal law and procedure.
The process might be complex but that does not mean it cannot be overcome, just a few facts and ground rules can make all the difference when planning an application.
This Is A Permanent Change
This is a permanent relationship that is created between one or two adults and a child who was formerly the son or daughter of someone else, maybe did not have a family, or a ward of court.
The adopting parents will have all the rights of the biological parents, which also means the adoptive child is granted the legal rights of a natural family member.
The child becomes in effect a son or daughter to the person or couple adopting them with all the legal rights that entails, including inheritance.
Follow Your State's Adoption Laws
It is important that everything is done according to law; the adoption cannot be complete until the naming of the child's genetic parents is made known which is a safeguard that protects all concerned from any problems later on.
Naming the biological parents is not always possible and is governed by state law as in situations where the biological parents have lost access or rights to their child for instance.
Another scenario includes the adoption of an infant born to a teenage single mother, where the termination of the rights of the biological parents is done within the same court proceedings to finalize the adoption.
A Home Study
The home study is an action used to look into the background of the people adopting and their home environment to ensure the child is being placed in a safe place.
To ensure the safety of the child, a social worker will carry out checks for any criminal record the applicants may have.
This inspection also looks at medical records and a physical visit to the home to ensure it is safe.
The Adoption Is Finalized!
If the home study does not show anything detrimental about the potential parents, then the adoption request will be approved although you still have to wait a while for it to actually take place.
During the finalization process, the family court judge reviews all the gathered information about the child, their biological parents, and the adoptive parents.
Adoption laws are always being revised, either in the state where you reside or federal laws, so you would be wise to have your adoption attorney keep you updated on any changes in the law before you begin the process to avoid disappointment at a later stage.
Then you can finally call this new family member your own - congratulations!