Adoption Lawyer in Roswell, GA | Private Consultation

Adoption is often a joyous milestone for families, but it can also involve legal complexities. If you’re considering adoption in Roswell, GA, having a legal professional from Speights Law working on your behalf can help you navigate the process smoothly.

For more than 20 years, our Roswell family lawyers have helped families across Georgia resolve legal challenges, including adoptions. As you pursue your plans to adopt, our Roswell adoption lawyers can explain your options and help you decide how to proceed.

We help clients with the legal and emotional process of adopting a child at any stage. Whether you are looking to adopt a child privately or through an agency, we can help you formalize or finalize the process. Call today for a private consultation.

An Overview of Adoptions in Roswell, GA

Adopting a child in Georgia requires following specific legal steps to ensure the process is handled correctly. The adoption must prioritize the child’s best interests as you work toward gaining legal custody. State law also formally defines what benefits the child.

Before parties can finalize an adoption, the biological parents’ rights must be legally terminated, either voluntarily through consent or involuntarily by court order.

Additionally, the birth parents (if applicable) must provide legal consent for the adoption, or the court must approve the adoption if the biological parents’ rights have been terminated.

Who Qualifies to Adopt a Child in Georgia?

To adopt a child in Georgia, you must meet the following qualifications:

Be at least 25 years old or married and living with your spouse.
Be at least 10 years older than the child you wish to adopt.
Have lived in Georgia for at least six months.
Be financially, physically, and mentally able to care for the child.
Complete a home study to assess your suitability for adoption.

All of these require prospective parents to provide a safe and stable environment for their children.

We Handle Various Types of Adoptions in Georgia

Adoptees can pursue several types of adoptions in Georgia, each with its own legal requirements:

Agency adoptions: Working with a licensed agency to adopt a child.
Private adoptions: Arranged between birth parents and adoptive parents without an agency.
Stepparent or other relative adoptions: A stepparent, grandparent, or another relative adopts a child.
Foster care adoptions: Adopting a child currently in the foster care system.

Common Legal Issues That Arise in Georgia Adoption Cases

While adoption is a rewarding experience, you must be aware of potential issues. Each case is unique, and challenges can vary, but being prepared can help you manage your expectations and take action.

Common issues in contested adoptions can include:

Parental rights termination: In some cases, biological parents may contest the termination of their rights, which can complicate the adoption process.
Consent and revocation: Birth parents must give legal consent for the adoption, but they may attempt to revoke that consent within certain time frames.
Interstate adoptions: If the child is from another state, additional legal steps under the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) may apply.
Home study delays: The home study process can be lengthy and involve many steps, including background checks and interviews.
Adoption finalization: Even after the adoption is approved, delays in court proceedings can push back the timeline to finalize the adoption.

Our experienced adoption lawyers in Roswell have the knowledge, experience, and resources to address any potential issues with your case. Call us today for a private consultation to receive tailored advice for your situation.

How Our Roswell Adoption Attorneys Can Lead Your Case

Adoption involves more than just filing paperwork. We will simplify the complex legal language, statutes, and procedures, making sure you understand what is happening. When we handle your case, you can expect clear guidance and a strategy tailored to your unique situation.

We will:

Counsel you during a private consultation: We will explain how adoption works in Georgia and how state laws affect your situation.
Prepare and file your legal documents: Adoption involves a lot of paperwork. We will handle your documents correctly and file them on time.
Collect evidence and build your case: We will gather important documents, such as birth certifications, background checks, and financial statements, to make your case.
Represent you in court: Our legal team will stand up for you and help protect your rights should we need to go to court to complete your adoption.
Advise you on the adoption timeline: We will explain the steps involved and give you a clear idea of how long the adoption process may take so that you know what to expect at each stage.

Our Lawyers Handle Contested Adoptions for Families

While we hope all goes well, disputes can occur in adoption. This happens when a biological parent or another party challenges the adoption. These cases can be emotionally charged and legally challenging. In most cases, parties resolve their differences in court.

If you are in this situation, our Roswell contested adoption lawyers will get to the heart of the matter and guide you through every step of your case. We will represent your interests in court and help you build a strong case.

We Offer Families Legal Support After the Adoption Process Is Finalized

Adoption is a life-changing event, but the process doesn’t end when parties finalize the process. We understand that your family can face new challenges after the adoption is complete.

That’s why our adoption lawyers in Roswell, GA, offer support after the adoption to help you adjust to your new family dynamics and address any legal concerns that may arise. If you adopt again, you’ll benefit from having worked with us before, as you’re already familiar with our approach.

Whether you would like help with post-adoption legal matters, advice on your rights as adoptive parents, or simply reassurance, we will support you.

Call Us Today: Our Roswell Adoption Lawyers Are Ready to Help

Adoption laws can be complicated, and even a small mistake in paperwork can delay the process. If there’s a disagreement, things can get more difficult, possibly leading to court involvement or longer legal battles.

Working with the Roswell adoption lawyers at Speights Law can give you peace of mind. Whether you’re the adoptive family or a biological parent, we will help you move forward. Call for a private consultation. We offer evening and weekend appointments.

Holly Holliman