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Adopting a child adds to your family, creating a physical and emotional bond. Adoption is also a method of establishing a legal bond between parent and child by granting you all the legal rights and obligations of parenting. While the procedure can be loving, it can also be complicated to go through on your own.
At Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, our adoption lawyer can help you understand each step of the journey. We are passionate about protecting you and the child while advocating on your behalf and with your best interest in mind. Contact one of our family law lawyers to find out how we can advocate for your family throughout the adoption process.
- Our Adoption Lawyer Has Your Family’s Best Interests at Heart
- North Carolina Builds Families Via Multiple Types of Adoptions
- Contact Our Family Law Team to Get Started Today
Our Adoption Lawyer Has Your Family’s Best Interests at Heart
While adoption can be wonderful, it can also be fraught with legalities. Even the most straightforward cases can involve multiple stages along the way. When our family law team handles your adoption, we do all of the following on your behalf:
- Establish your eligibility to adopt in your state
- Manage all communication related to your case
- Provide familiarity with your state’s adoption laws
- Prepare and submit all necessary forms and filings
- Clarify each step of the required home study process
- Effectively navigate and avoid any conflicts of interest
Our law firm describes what you can expect in detail. In addition, because we know how emotionally charged the adoption process can be, we provide ongoing updates on any developments so you can have peace of mind.
When Is the Right Time to Hire an Adoption Attorney?
Even when an attorney is not mandatory for adopting a child, there can still be many benefits to hiring one to represent you. Our lawyer will make the process easier for laypersons to understand and ensure that all legal requirements and parameters are met.
We understand the significant role of helping you expand your family. The best time to get our law firm involved in your case is sooner rather than later—including as soon as you begin considering adoption.
North Carolina Builds Families Via Multiple Types of Adoptions
Every family is a unique entity. According to North Carolina Judicial Branch guidelines, there are multiple types of adoptions. Based on the specific needs and circumstances of your family, adoption options can include:
- Agency adoption, involving Social Services and licensed child-placing agencies.
- Independent adoption, where a child’s birth parent or legal guardian requests a direct placement.
- Relative adoption, where a birth parent or legal guardian—grandparent, sibling, first cousin, aunt, uncle, etc.—asks you to adopt.
- Foreign adoption, including adoption of a child who was born in a foreign country and re-adoption of a child whose initial adoption took place in another country.
- Stepparent adoption, where a stepparent adopts the child of their spouse.
Adult adoption is also possible in certain cases. When you are ready to add a new member to your family, our Rutherfordton adoption lawyer will provide the legal services and support you need.
What You Need to Know About the Adoption Process in North Carolina
Like all states, yours has specific steps for adoption. This is what adoption proceedings look like in North Carolina:
- Filing of a special proceeding
- Filing of an adoption petition
- Completion of myriad forms
- Payment of an adoption fee
- Participation in a home study
- Filing a report on the proposed adoption
Through the court process, you may have an adoption hearing, after which a final adoption decree will be issued. You will also be notified on how to obtain an amended birth certificate.
These North Carolina Judicial Branch guidelines do not require you to have a lawyer at any point during the adoption process. However, they require you to meet the same standards as a licensed attorney. Our adoption lawyer will provide the guidance and direction you need.
Contact Our Family Law Team to Get Started Today
Growing your family through adoption is a loving and compassionate choice. Our adoption lawyer will help you understand and navigate each step of this complex legal process. Contact one of our team members at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC to get started today.
