Adoptions Lawyers in Atlanta, GA — Helping Our Clients Expand Their Families

An increasing number of families in America don’t fit the “traditional” mold of the past. One way this is true is that many people are now raising children without being their biological parents. The adoption process in Georgia makes this possible, but navigating this legal area can be complicated. Fortunately, you don’t have to do it alone. An adoption lawyer in Atlanta, GA, may be able to assist.

At the Family Lawyers of Atlanta, our Georgia family law attorneys have extensive experience assisting prospective adoptive parents. We’ve guided stepparents, relatives of a child, and even unrelated individuals through this process. The simple fact is that you don’t have to be the biological parent of a child to love them, but gaining legal rights can be difficult. Let our law firm help. Contact us today for a free consultation.

What Are the Requirements of the Georgia Adoption Process?

If you live in the Atlanta area, adopting a child requires you to meet Georgia qualifications. The legal process can be a difficult one. In fact, it often involves interviews with family members, home inspections, pre-service training, and a variety of other steps. However, certain requirements must be met to even go through the process. This is true whether you want to adopt your foster child, stepchild, relative, or an unrelated youngster.

These requirements include:

• Adoptive parents must be at least 21 years old or married and living with their spouse.
• Adoptive parents must be at least 10 years older than the child they’re adopting — unless the person is a relative or stepparent.
• Either the parent must be a resident of Georgia, or the child must be a resident or born in the state. There are nuances to this requirement that Atlanta adoption lawyers can help you understand.
• The person seeking parental rights must be financially, physically, and mentally capable of caring for a child.

It’s important to note that meeting these requirements does not guarantee the approval of an adoption. Even stepparent adoptions have strict rules that must be followed. Fortunately, an experienced adoption attorney in Atlanta, GA, can help you understand what you need to do to qualify. Contact us today to discuss the specifics of your case.

Does the Adoption Process Grant Full Child Custody?

It’s understandable if you have questions regarding adoption in Georgia. Our law firm can help answer all these questions. However, one of the most common queries we receive is whether an adoptive parent gains full child custody when an adoption is finalized. The answer to this question is “yes.” Anyone who adopts a child in Georgia is granted full legal custody. This carries with it all the rights and obligations (e.g., child support) of having a child.

If you’re considering this process for adult adoptions, you obviously wouldn’t need to concern yourself with issues of child custody and support. However, there are many legal issues you should understand when adopting an adult. For instance, adult adoptions can grant legal recognition, financial support (e.g., healthcare, retirement benefits), inheritance, and the opportunity for adoptees to change their legal name during the process.

How Can a Family Law Attorney Assist With Adoption?

If you review the Georgia website for adoptions, you may wonder whether you need legal services at all. Can Atlanta adoption attorneys really provide that many benefits during the process? Whether you’re attempting stepparent, unrelated, or relative adoptions, a legal professional can assist in a variety of ways:

• Provide legal advice to expedite adoption proceedings
• Represent parents (biological or adoptive) in court to advocate for their best interests
• Prepare and file all necessary legal paperwork
• Negotiate any disagreements between adoptive and biological parents
• Advocate for parents throughout the entire process
• Serve as a mediator to facilitate communication between birth and adoptive parents

Put simply, a Georgia adoption lawyer can prove invaluable in this process. It’s understandable if you feel overwhelmed with all the legalities required to adopt a child or adult. Fortunately, this isn’t a journey you have to embark on alone. At the Family Lawyers of Atlanta, our legal team loves to see adoptions approved and families recognized under the law. Let us help you in reaching this goal. Contact our law firm today.

Contact Our Adoptions Lawyers in Atlanta, GA Today

Whether you’re interested in private adoptions or going through an adoption agency, the process is often riddled with hurdles. While this can be frustrating, it’s important to remember that this is for the well-being of children in our state. If you’re committed to gaining parental rights over a child, however, it’s typically possible to navigate the legalities and bring a new loved one into your growing family.

At the Family Lawyers of Atlanta, we’ve seen far too many people struggle with adopting a child they love. While the state has mechanisms for prospective parents to do this independently, getting through the technical loopholes can feel seemingly impossible. That’s why our law firm is here to help. Contact us today by calling(404) 418-7777 to schedule your free consultation.

Our adoption lawyers in Atlanta, GA, are ready to assist.