Birmingham Adoption Lawyer
Adoption is a blessing for the entire family. Through adoption, an adult officially becomes a child’s guardian and they incur the same rights and responsibilities as parents. Adoption will terminate the rights of at least one biological parent. When the biological parents consent to a stepparent adoption, the process is fairly easy and requires only one or two court hearings. Regardless of the type of adoption you are considering, you need sound legal advice. Our Birmingham adoption lawyer can provide it.
Requirements to Adopt in Alabama
In Alabama, there are several requirements for anyone who wishes to adopt a child. These are as follows:
- You must be at least 19 years of age
- If you are married, you must have been married for at least three years
- If you are married, you or your spouse must be a United States citizen
- Adequate housing and personal space for the child must be provided
- You must be in good health
- You must consent to a thorough background check, including your criminal history
Domestic Agency Adoption
A domestic agency adoption involves an adoption agency located anywhere in the United States. The agencies usually provide any and all services needed to complete the adoption, which include counseling birth and adoptive parents, counseling pregnant women, and referring families to lawyers and other professionals for assistance. The laws for adoption vary slightly from state to state and so, when using a domestic agency outside of Alabama, it is important to let them know that you live in Alabama, as this could impact certain situations.
International Adoption
International adoptions, also known as inter-country adoptions, occur when parents in the United States adopt a child from another country. The international adoption process differs depending on the country you are adopting from. When deciding which country you would like to adopt from, you should consider the current political climate, your budget, the types of adoption available in that country, as well as the qualifying requirements the country imposes.
You will need to work with an international adoption agency. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Adoption Department must also confirm that you qualify to adopt. If you are matched with a child, you will then need to travel to the home country of the child and remain there for approximately four weeks. During that time, you will meet the child and get to know them, start the visa process, and have an interview with the adoption authorities in that country.
An experienced attorney can ensure all adoption documents are accurate and legal.
We love adoptions at our law firm. We understand how important adoption is to all members of the family, and we take care to make sure all appropriate documents are in place and registered with the probate court to make the child a legal member of the family.
When an adoption is complete, the child will be yours as if you had birthed the child.
- We have extensive experience with the legal, medical and insurance regulations involved with Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).
- We draft agreements for an egg donor or sperm donor and the prospective parents.
- We work with agency adoptions, with stepparent adoptions, and with adoptions within the family (grandparents, aunts and uncles).
- We work with agencies on international adoptions, making sure the child has an Alabama birth certificate and a Social Security number so that the child will be a U.S. citizen eligible for the benefits of citizenship.
If you are adopting a child, congratulations. We are fully prepared to help with the necessary legal documents.
Call Our Adoption Lawyer in Birmingham for Help with Your Case
Adopting a child is a joyous time, but the process is complex. At Peeples Law, our Birmingham adoption lawyer can help you determine which type of adoption is right for you and will work with your family and the adoption agency involved to ensure the process is as easy as possible. Call us now at 205-403-5577 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to learn more about how we can give you the best chance of success with your case.
