Castle Rock Adoption Lawyer

Adoption Attorney in Castle Rock, CO

Adoption can change a child’s life, and a parent’s. While every adoption is different, they all help to foster connections and improve the lives of children. If you’re planning to adopt a child, you should speak with a Castle Rock adoption lawyer as early in the process as possible to avoid any issues that could come up and get in the way of fostering a beautiful new connection.

Whether you’re a stepparent interested in formally adopting your stepchild or a couple looking into adoption through an agency or an independent source, we can help you navigate this complex process. Adoption cases can be straightforward, but they can also be incredibly complicated depending on the circumstances. You need a legal team of family lawyers on your side that can represent your rights and the child’s best interests, no matter what hurdles you face.

Hire an Adoption Lawyer

In 2023, 2,239 children were adopted in Colorado. Adoptions from foster care comprised 32.25% of the total, while most cases were private adoptions. Private domestic adoptions accounted for 65.3% of the total, while international adoptions made up 2.46%. While a little over 2,000 does not seem like many adoptions, each one of them has made a significant difference in a child’s life.

The problem is that the adoption process is often complicated, and you must follow strict deadlines. If you want everything to go smoothly, it makes good sense to hire an adoption lawyer as early in the process as you can. Even if you are working with an agency that provides access to its own lawyers, it’s worth having everything looked over by a private law firm to ensure that there are no potential issues that could come up down the line.

Types of Adoptions

Adoption refers to the legal process of an adult becoming the legal parent of a non-biologically related child. The process transfers all parental rights and responsibilities away from the biological parents and gives them to the adoptive parents. There are several types of adoption recognized by the state of Colorado. They include:

• Foster care adoptions. Foster care adoptions involve adopting a child out of the foster care system. Foster children have been removed from their biological parents due to issues such as abuse and neglect. The biological parents have already had their parental rights terminated.
• Stepparent adoption. Stepparents often adopt their spouses’ biological children to give them a sense of stability in the home. You can only adopt a stepchild if the child’s non-custodial biological parent is willing to have their parental rights terminated.
• Kinship adoptions. Sometimes, relatives adopt children to maintain family connections and continuity. These relatives are often grandparents, siblings, aunts, or uncles.
• Domestic infant adoption. Many adoptions are domestic infant adoptions in which prospective parents work with private adoption attorneys or agencies.
• International adoptions. A small percentage of the adoptions that occur in Colorado involve adopting children from other countries. The process is quite complex and requires compliance with the laws of the child’s home country in addition to Colorado state law.
• Second-parent adoptions. Second-parent adoptions are different from the other types described above because they involve a second parent adopting a child without the first parent losing their parental rights. It’s common in same-sex couples.

Eligibility for Adopting a Child

You must meet certain eligibility criteria before you can file adoption paperwork at the Douglas County District Court. You must be at least 21 years old and pass specific background checks. You can’t have a history of violence against a spouse or a child, and you must be sufficiently financially stable to prove that you can provide for the child’s monetary needs. If you meet all these criteria, you can work with a Castle Rock adoption attorney to petition the court for an adoption decree.

FAQs

How Much Does an Adoption Lawyer Cost?

A: How much an adoption lawyer costs varies based on the complexity of the case and the lawyer’s experience level. Simple adoption cases where parents only need help with a few basic tasks will not cost as much as complex cases. Some lawyers charge by the hour, while others charge a flat fee. To get an idea of what to expect in terms of a fee schedule, reach out to our legal team in Castle Rock, CO.

Is It Better to Have an Adoption Lawyer or an Attorney?

It isn’t generally better to have an adoption lawyer or an attorney. However, there are some circumstances where you’ll need the help of an attorney rather than a lawyer. Attorneys are licensed to represent clients in litigation, whereas lawyers can provide legal advice, draft documents, and conduct research. They can’t provide courtroom representation unless they pass the bar exam and become attorneys.

When Should I Hire an Adoption Attorney?

You should hire an adoption attorney as early in the process as possible. Hiring a lawyer at the start of the adoption process prevents problems from coming up and ensures that all legal requirements are met, helping you avoid future disputes. Some licensed agencies provide attorney services, but you may want to consider consulting an independent attorney if you have concerns about the process.

How Can I Win an Adoption Case?

You can increase your chances of winning an adoption case by hiring an experienced attorney, meeting all deadlines, and building a strong case. The court will decide whether to finalize the adoption based on what’s in the best interests of the child, so any evidence you provide should be focused on showing your ability to provide a stable, loving home.

Castle Rock Adoption Lawyer

If you’re planning to adopt a child, you should speak with a Castle Rock adoption lawyer first. Fuller & Ahern, PC, can help. Our team has been working with soon-to-be parents to finalize their adoptions for years. We’re intimately familiar with adoption laws and know how they can be applied to your case to achieve positive results. Find out how we can help with yours, too. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.