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Last Updated August 26, 2009
INFORMATION ABOUT ADOPTION |
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Adoption is the Court-ordered assumption of parental responsibility for another individual, usually a minor child. However, it is possible for an adult, in certain circumstances, to adopt another adult as his or her legal child.
The questions and answers that follow discuss some of the issues concerning adoption. While the material below addresses common,nationwide concerns, all legal problems are unique and state and local laws can significantly modify these procedures. Therefore, you should not assume that the information below applies to your particular fact situation or your local law. We strongly urge you to consult with an attorney licensed to practice in your home state for accurate advice as it applies to your own particular legal situation
Our
Family Law Attorneys assist clients who want to adopt a child in numerous
ways. Most of the time, the adoption is a traditional one, where a couple
adopts a child. However, we have also helped single individuals to adopt. At other times, we have provided services for a kinship adoption, which
is where a step-parent or other relative adopts a child. We have also helped
clients to locate the natural parent in order to terminate his or her parent
rights, voluntarily or involuntarily.
Although
most adoptions are local ones, where all of the parties
live in the same state, we have arranged for out-of-state and we have assisted with out-of-country
adoptions where necessary.
The
adoption laws of each state differ to some extent. In general, once you
have found a child to adopt, 
your lawyer must file
certain paperwork with the court to start the adoption. If you are adopting an
orphan, or the child of a non-relative, there will usually be a court approved
social worker or agency involved to investigate you and your spouse (if any)
and inspect your home and monitor how you and the child get along together in
your home for a period of time (for example, six months), before the Court will allow a hearing to be
scheduled on the adoption. Thereafter, your lawyer will attend hearings with
you and the adoptee. If necessary, the natural parents' rights will be
terminated before an adoption can be granted.
After
the court grants the adoption petition, your lawyer will order a new birth
certificate to reflect your child's new name. Once the
adoption is finalized, 
you should consult with your accountant or tax preparer as
some of your costs in the adoption process may be deductible on your federal
income tax return. If your child was born overseas, once the adoption is
finalized your lawyer will then take the necessary steps to have your child become an
American citizen.
More
and more people are interested in learning about their natural parents' backgrounds.
Sometimes they need to know their parents' health problems and other times they
just want to learn about them as individuals. At times we are able to help
adoptees to obtain information about their natural parents. We have helped
adoptees with many different situations.
DESSEN, MOSES & ROSSITTO is happy to assist you in any legal matter that involves either Pennsylvania or New Jersey, the two states in which our attorneys routinely practice. If you wish to contact us for more information concerning this field of law or any other in which we practice, please send us an E-mail message and we will be happy to try to assist you.
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LINKS TO OTHER INTERESTING INFO
Adoption.com
Adoption Law
Materials
Adoption Resources on the Internet
Divorce & Family Law Research Links
Divorce.net
Hillside Family of Agencies
National Adoption Center
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Information found at this Web site is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice or the rendering of a legal opinion. DO NOT assume that anything contained in these Web pages answers your specific legal problem. Each legal situation is unique. You should seek independent legal advice and counsel regarding any specific legal problem you may have. |
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