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Adoption can be a blessing for both an adoptive child and a
welcoming family. Adoption is a legal process that allows
the state to transfer the care and guardianship of minor
children to parents, in Orange County and California, who want to start a new family or expand
their current one.
Adoption can be a complicated process, requiring thorough
knowledge of adoption laws to ensure the legality of
parental rights. Whether you are in the beginning stages
of the adoption process, or find yourself tangled in the
complex adoption system, please contact our Orange County California
adoption attorneys for advice. We can help guide you and
your family through the maze of adoption laws. Contact us
today online or by phone: 714-835-4444.
Adoption is just as permanent as having a child on your own.
Once you adopt a child it becomes the permanent legal
assumption of all parental rights and responsibilities for
that child. You assume the same rights and take on the same
responsibilities as birth parents.
There are a number of ways to adopt a child in Orange
County,
California.
- You can adopt a child through a licensed public or
private agency.
In an agency adoption you make application to the
adoption agency that reviews and studies your
application to determine whether you are a suitable
match as an adoptive parent. If you are approved your
name goes on a waiting list and when a match is found a
child will be placed in your care. The adoption agency
stays involved by supervising the adoption for the
following for six months and after that period an
application can be made for the formal adoption of the
child.
- You can arrange for an independent adoption.
In an independent adoption the birth parents get to
choose the adoptive parents. They must however be
advised of their rights and responsibilities by a
registered adoption service provider before any adoption
can take place. In addition, they must provide in
writing their consent to the adoption which becomes
final unless it is revoked in a 30 day period.
- Or you can adopt a child from another country using
what is called intracountry adoption.
In an intracountry adoption parents from California
travel to another country to adopt a child born in that
country. Before they return they must apply for and
obtain an immigration entry visa for their newly adopted
child. In addition they must formally register the
adoption with officials in the home country of the child
and when they return to California they must do the same
in order to make the adoption formally legal in this
state.
While it not required by law to have an attorney
represent you in an agency adoption, an attorney can be very
useful in helping to resolve any difficulties which may
arise. In an independent adoption an attorney is recommended
to protect your rights and to ensure that all legal
requirements are met. An attorney is absolutely crucial for
intracountry adoptions to help you navigate the regulations
of the foreign country and adhere to international law. An
experienced adoption attorney can assist with communications
between local country officials, orphanages, hospitals,
adoption agencies, the immigration process, and the final
registration of your adoption in California.
If you are considering the adoption of a child, or have
questions regarding the legality of an adoption, please
contact our Orange County California adoption lawyers by phone or online.
Contact us online or call us
at 714-835-4444.
Related Information
Gay / Lesbian
Adoptive Families
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