Springfield Adoption Lawyer

Adoption is one of the most joyous times for many families, but the legal process can feel overwhelming. It takes time and patience, and one minor error could cause long and unexpected delays.

A Springfield adoption lawyer can assist families as an adoption professional with the location and place of the child, document collection, compliance review, and each step of the proceedings from beginning to end. Call today to schedule an appointment with a qualified family attorney to help navigate the family court process.

Types of Adoption

State laws recognize many types of adoption, and they include:

• Open adoption, which allows the biological parents to participate in the process and options to stay in contact with the adoptive family after placement
• Agency adoptions involving a licensed child placement agency that matches biological and adoptive families
• Independent adoptions, which entail birth parents and adoptive families utilizing an intermediary, such as lawyers or pastors, to assist in finding a suitable match
• Relative adoption for family members of the birth parents
• Stepparent adoptions occur when the child’s parents divorce or have the child out of wedlock, and the mother or father marries afterward
• Foster parent adoption for a family or state agency placing the minor in the foster care system who is not able to return to their birth parents
• International adoptions for families seeking to adopt a child from another country

A Springfield adoption attorney can provide families with all their legal needs and guidance and protect their rights throughout the proceedings.

The Legal Process

The child’s birth parents, an adoption agency, or an attorney may place the child for adoption, and the legal proceedings can fluctuate depending on the type and circumstances. However, most follow a similar process structure. The regulations usually allow the adoptive parents to pay some expenses but dictate which are allowable.

Allowable Fees

The state’s family law statute allows adoptive families to cover specific expenses directly related to the legal process and intended to cover necessary costs. Examples of allowable expenses include:

• Fees a licensed adoption agency charges for services, including locating families, home study evaluations, and post-adoption services
• The legal fees associated with adoption, including legal document drafting, court hearing representation, and fees for state law compliance review
• All medical expenses related to prenatal care and the delivery process
• The reasonable cost of counseling services meant to support the emotional well-being of biological and adoptive parents
• Living expenses and limited support for the birth mother during pregnancy, including rent, utilities, transportation for medical appointments, and utilities

Family laws strictly prohibit adoptive families from engaging in any form of illegal or excessive costs or bribery to persuade the birth parents to place children up for adoption. An experienced adoption lawyer in Springfield can review documents and all records related to the adoption process to ensure compliance and avoid unnecessary delays.

Schedule a Meeting With an Adoption Attorney in Springfield

Adoption is a significant and joyous life event that hugely impacts your family and future. Unfortunately, the process can be long and stressful, and knowing your rights and responsibilities is essential.

A Springfield adoption lawyer can help with all adoption proceedings. Examples of services include screening to locate the best match for families, legal termination of parental rights, document drafting and compliance review, and more. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation.