DeRidder Adoption Lawyer

DeRidder Adoption Attorney

Adoption can be a beautiful choice for family planning. Yet, adoptions are a complex legal process that, if not done correctly, can become costly and emotionally draining. To ensure you secure the adoption arrangement that meets the needs of your family, work with a DeRidder adoption lawyer you can trust.

Adoption as a Solution in Family Planning

Many adults consider family planning an important part of their future and want to grow their family through adoption. While some find this path straightforward, others face obstacles that make the process more complex. Adoption can carry deep emotional significance. With so many legal and personal factors, professional guidance can make all the difference.

Successful adoptions are beneficial for all parties involved, but finalizing one can be a lengthy and challenging process. Anyone looking to adopt must first meet state eligibility requirements in Louisiana, file the correct petition and documentation with the court, meet all deadlines, and attend all court hearings. For DeRidder residents, these hearings would take place at the Department of Child and Family Services for Beauregard Parish.

Eligibility for Adoption

Southern Louisiana residents interested in adoption must meet certain requirements with the state’s Department of Child and Family Services. First, the adoptive parent must be 18 years or older with the financial means to take care of their family’s needs.

The adoptive parent(s) must be in good health physically, mentally, and emotionally, and must have adequate physical space to welcome a child into their home. All adoptive parents must complete a criminal background check and pass a child protection clearance with the state of Louisiana.

Adoptee children must also meet certain requirements with the state of Louisiana to be eligible for adoption, such as being under the age of 18 with no emancipation order from their legal guardian(s). A legal guardian for the child must relinquish the child for them to be adopted, meaning the guardian must consent to giving up their guardianship of the adoptee. The court is the only entity capable of terminating parental or legal guardianship rights.

Petitioning for the Right Type of Adoption

Not all adoptions are the same, and understanding the different types can help you petition for the right type for your situation.

• Agency adoptions. These involve the placement of the child through a licensed adoption agency. These agencies can be private or operate through the state and the Department of Children and Family Services.
• Private adoptions. These take place outside of an agency setting. Sometimes, families prefer to negotiate an arrangement with the help of a licensed attorney outside of the court.
• Intrafamily adoptions. These occur when a child is relinquished to a relative within the same family for adoption.
• International adoptions. These happen when the child resides in a foreign country. The adoption must comply with Louisiana’s Children’s Code (Arts. 1281.1–1285.17) and with U.S. federal and international treaty standards. A knowledgeable attorney can advise on the steps to take when seeking this type of adoption.
• Adult adoptions. These are governed by the civil code rather than Louisiana’s Children’s Code. Any person who has reached the age of 18 may be adopted by the surviving spouse of a biological parent who has passed away.

In addition to these types of adoptions, you also have the choice to keep an adoption “open,” where the birth parent(s) maintain contact with the adoptive parent(s) and child, or “closed,” where no contact happens between the parties after the child is relinquished. In both cases, an adoption agreement is drafted between the birth family and adoptive family to outline the specifics of the agreement.

In the year 2022, 53,665 children were adopted in the United States. Of these adoptees, 57% were adopted by their foster parents, and 33% by a relative. Many of these adoptees and their families receive support from post-adoption services and adoption subsidies. The state of Louisiana processed 1,384 petitions for adoption in 2023.

Hire an Adoption Lawyer You Can Trust

While adoption can create beautiful outcomes for families, they are also a highly personal matter and requires sensitivity to be handled properly. William L. Godley, an experienced family law attorney, knows how to approach the adoption process with clarity and focus while keeping the needs of his clients at the forefront.

Our team is knowledgeable about filing documents with the court properly and on time to avoid delays or disappointments in your adoption case.

FAQs

How Much Do Adoption Lawyers Cost?

There are several factors that impact legal fees for adoption, such as your attorney’s rate, the complexity of the adoption (simpler, more straightforward adoptions tend to cost less), and the type of adoption. Working with a skilled lawyer can provide clarity about what they charge for your adoption and keep you informed through the entire process.

What Are the 7 Core Issues in Adoption?

The Seven Core Issues of adoption, first conceptualized by Sharon Kaplan Roszia and Allison Davis Maxon, are: loss, rejection, guilt/shame, grief, identity, intimacy, mastery/control. Each of these core issues captures a different emotional experience that can be felt by all parties involved during the adoption process, including the adoptive child, birth parents, and adoptive parents.

Are All Adoptions the Same?

No, not all adoptions are the same. Every circumstance is different, and Louisiana recognizes agency adoptions, private adoptions, intrafamily adoptions, international adoptions, and adult adoptions. In addition to these types, adoptions can either be open or closed. Open adoptions allow birth parents to maintain contact with the child and adoptive family after placement. A closed adoption seals the adoption details away, and birth parents have no contact after placement.

How Can I Legally Adopt a Child In Louisiana?

You can begin the adoption process by first confirming your eligibility to adopt. With the guidance of a skilled DeRidder child adoption attorney, you can petition the court for adoption with clarity and calm. Your experience of adopting will be impacted by the type of adoption you petition for and other circumstances, but choosing the right adoption lawyer can make this process smooth.

Make the Adoption Process Easier for All Involved

The Godley Law Firm is well-equipped to handle different adoption types and scenarios, and we want to help you obtain the adoption arrangement that suits your needs. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation so that one of our skilled attorneys can review your details and suggest the right steps to take to start your process.

Adoptions can be complicated and emotionally draining. When you hire a DeRidder adoption lawyer familiar with all the nuances, you give yourself a stronger foundation for a smooth process that meets your family’s goals.