Adoption

Many families and couples are considering adoption these days for a number of reasons. If you think you may be interested in adopting a child, there are some things you'll need to know about the adoption process, as well as the different types of adoptions that may be possible for you.

Adoption, essentially, occurs when the natural or birth parent(s) of a child give up their parental rights and obligations, so that adoptive parents can take on these responsibilities for the child. Parental obligations include providing adequate healthcare and education for the child, as well as meeting his/her physical needs (i.e. food, clothing). Each adoption process will vary slightly, depending on the state in which you live, so you'll have to be sure you're familiar with the regulations for adoption in your area before proceeding with the process.

To continue with the adoption process, most families have to fill out a variety of forms that ask questions about things like criminal and employment history, and it can take months, even years, for these forms to be approved. However, there are some special cases where adoption does not require the adoptive parents to fill out any forms or to appear in court. Equitable adoption is an example of this. When a person adopts a child under equitable adoption, there is no formal court procedures; the 'parent' only acts in a way that signifies that he or she is caring for the child (i.e. the child may live with the adoptive parent). Adopting by estoppels allows the child to claim adoption by the parent, especially if the child has been living with the adoptive parent for years. Adoption by estoppels also prevents the adoptive parent from denying that he/ she has been the child's primary caregiver for a significant period of time.

If you want to know more about adoption, contact your local family practice law firms for more information.

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