Adoption
When you adopt a child, the Court issues an order making you the legal parent, with all of the rights and obligations of any biological parent. It's an essential process when bringing a new child into your family or when securing your rights to care for a child who is already in your family.
Adoption ensures:
• A right to make decisions for your child.
• Standing to file for custody or visitation of your child.
• The child's right to be supported by you.
• The child's right to inherit from you if you do not have a will.
• The child's right to receive benefits.
We can help you with the two types of adoptions in New York state: private-placement and agency. Private-placement adoptions are arranged through direct communication between consenting biological and adoptive parents. Examples are second-parent, step-parent, and kinship adoptions. We also help foster parents adopt through local agencies when the parents' rights have been terminated by the Court.
The adoption process is complex, and any biological or adoptive parent should be represented by an experienced adoption attorney.
The adoption process involves several steps:
• We meet with you to learn the unique circumstances of your family. We talk with you about the information you must collect and make sure you understand the process.
• In many cases, one or both of the child's biological parents must agree to the adoption. We will prepare the consent forms and send them to the biological parents to sign.
• We will recommend an adoption social worker who will interview you with the child - usually in her office and also at your home - in order to prepare a report (adoption home study) for the Court recommending adoption.
• You will be given a criminal background check and must be cleared through the state child-abuse registry.
• The Court reviews the forms, asks for more information when needed, and then the adoption is scheduled.
• You and your child appear in court. The judge meets with you, your child, and your lawyer. Simple questions are asked, papers are signed, and your adoption is completed.
• Your child will then get a new birth certificate in the mail from the state, listing you as the legal parent.
The following pages have additional information on some of the different kinds of adoptions we handle:
Lesbian / Gay Adoption, Second-Parent Adoption
Step-Parent Adoption, Kinship Adoption
Foster-Parent Adoption
Birth Mothers, Adoptive Parents
To get started, call to schedule a consultation or interview.