Adoption
At its core adoptions involve the removal of parental rights for the birth parents over their child and transfers the legal rights and responsibilities of parenthood to the adoptive parents. Navigating the legal process for adoptions, either as the adoptive parents or birth parents, can become difficult without the support of legal counsel.
To qualify for an adoption, both individuals and couples (married or otherwise) are generally required to conduct a home study. A home study involves an investigation of the living arrangements of the potential adoptive parents, to include the following areas:
- Current family dynamics
- Potential dynamic after the addition of an adopted child
- Reasons behind wanting to adopt
- Educational background
- Family history
- Work history
- Financial wellbeing
- Criminal background for everyone living in the home
In Virginia, a home study generally takes five to nine weeks to complete, although complications in the process can delay this timeline for potential adoptive parents.
Virginia also allows expecting or current birth parents to place their child up for adoption, either through an agency placement or by directly selecting the adoptive family. In either case, birth parents have a right to be informed of their rights throughout this process and seeking legal representation can ensure that these rights are protected. Whether you are looking to either adopt or place your child up for adoption, our office can help you to successfully navigate the adoption process. Set up a consultation today to learn more.