Adoption is not always an immediate and easy process, as some must wait or may encounter biological parents who have changed their minds. Thus, it is vital that you not only understand the process but also consider your legal rights throughout it.
Types of adoption
When you think of adoption, you likely think of a couple seeking to grow their family by adopting a child through an agency due to the inability to have a child of their own or the desire to give a child that was given up by their biological parents a home and a family.
While agency adoptions remain a very common and prominent type of adoption, it is important to note that there are other types of adoption. In addition to agency adoptions, other types of adoptions include stepparent adoptions, grandparent or relative adoptions, interstate adoptions and international adoptions.
At the law Office of Shawn P. Hammond and Associates, our firm has a wide range of experience assisting clients with their adoptions needs. With over 25 years of experience, our attorneys are the skills and knowledge to help our clients successfully navigate the adoption process.
Possible legal issues
When it comes to family law matters, adoptions tend to be an area the involves happy and agreeable parties. But like any area of family law, legal issues could arise. The adoption could be contested by a biological parent, creating a legal situation that is likely to move to litigation.
An adoption requires the termination of the biological parents’ parental rights. While this may be straightforward and procedural with agency adoptions for local, interstate and international adoptions, this can evolve into a complex legal process when and if a biological parent has changed their mind or is fighting against the termination of their parental rights.
Adoption can be an emotional rollercoaster filled with much happiness and excitement mixed with worry and apprehension.