Adoption
Adoption Attorney Lancaster Ohio
Get Support from a Family Law and Adoption Attorney
Adoption can be a wonderful way to provide children with a loving home and a better life. If you’re considering adoption, hiring an attorney can make the adoption process easier. At Taneff Law, our adoption attorney works with prospective adoptive parents and birth mothers to provide guidance and make sure the finalized adoption is legal.
Our attorneys can also assist with family law issues, such as determining parental rights and custody after a divorce. We can also help you create an estate plan that states who would receive custody of your children in the event of your death.
Our team has years of experience helping birth parents and adoptive parents in Lancaster, Ohio go through the adoption process. We can help you understand what to expect and achieve outcomes that give children the safety and security in their new home that they may not have had otherwise. If you feel adoption may be the best option, contact Taneff Law today.
Lancaster Adoption Services by Experienced Lawyers
There’s a lot to know when it comes to adoptions in Fairfield County and the state of Ohio. Our legal firm is familiar with family law and laws regarding adoption, so we can provide expert support during the adoption process. We provide legal services for private, inter-state, international, foster parent, stepparent, grandparent, legal custodian, and single parent adoptions. Let us help you navigate the adoption process in Lancaster, Ohio.
Private
Birth mothers and adoptive parents may opt for private adoption over agency adoption for a variety of reasons. For example, a private adoption typically takes less time than an agency adoption. During a private adoption, legal custody of the child is transferred directly to the adoptive parents from the biological parent. The rights of the birth parent are terminated in probate court, whereas agency adoptions occur outside of the courtroom. Additionally, in an agency adoption, the agency might not provide a lawyer to support the birth mother. Adoption lawyers can help birth mothers as well as adoptive parents through the adoption experience.
Inter-State
Adopting a child from a state other than Ohio can be complicated – having an attorney on your side makes the legal process easier to navigate. An inter-state adoption can be complex because it involves laws from the state where the child lives as well as laws from the state where the adoptive parents live or vice versa. Both states must approve the transfer of the child from one state to the other unless the child is moving from their birth mother to their birth grandmother.
All states are also affected by the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC), a law that seeks to ensure children are placed into safe environments. There is an office in every state to help adoptive parents deal with ICPC, and of course our attorneys can help as well.
International
Adopting a child from a different country involves laws from the country where the child lives as well as laws from the country where the adopting parents live, making the international adoption process complicated. Both countries must provide approval for the child to be moved from one country to the other. Working with a lawyer can help you better understand the legal process and navigate the complexities of an international adoption.
Foster Parent
Foster parents provide children with a safe and caring home. Sometimes, these parents decide to legally adopt a foster child. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to interpret the laws and understand when a child can move from foster care to adoption by a foster parent. Our adoption attorneys are familiar with these laws and can assist you with adopting a foster child. We can help you fill out paperwork and file a petition with the court – one of the first steps in adopting a foster child. We can also help you prepare for a home study, which will be performed to ensure that your home is an acceptable place for the child to live permanently. Our law group can also help with any issues that may arise during the adoption process.
Stepparent
Stepparent adoptions occur in the court of common pleas, either in the county where the child lives, the county where the natural parent lives, or the county where the stepparent lives. Following a stepparent adoption, the court terminates the previous parent’s legal rights regarding the child. This process also allows the child’s last name to be changed, and a new birth certificate showing the adoptive parents as the child’s natural parents can be issued. Fortunately, stepparent adoption can be a relatively simple process.
Grandparent
A grandparent can adopt a grandchild if it is determined to be in the best interests of the child. Before the adoption can take place, a home study is performed to ensure the living situation is acceptable. After the adoption process, the child’s last name can be changed and a new birth certificate can be issued showing the grandparent as the child’s natural parent. In specific instances, neither birth parent has to give consent for a grandparent adoption to take place in Ohio.
Single Parent
While it is possible for a single adult to adopt a child, this person may have a more difficult time than a married couple would have. Still, it’s not impossible, and help from a Taneff Law attorney can make the process easier so you can achieve your dream of becoming a parent. In Ohio, straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender people acting as an individual can adopt a child. If you have questions about single parent adoption, contact our firm for more information.
What to Know About Adoptions in the State of Ohio
There’s a lot to consider when planning to adopt in Lancaster, Ohio, including the cost, amount of time the adoption process takes, what has to happen for the adoption to be legal, and more. The attorneys at Taneff Law can answer your questions about adoption and support you through the adoption process if you decide it’s right for you.
Adoption costs vary based on the states involved, the type of adoption, and more. Our team can provide a cost estimate after learning more about your circumstances and goals. The length of the adoption process also depends on the type of adoption, as well as the number of attorneys or agencies you’re working with, and if there are any birth parent issues. Adoptions can take from a few months to a few years. A Qualified Adoptive Parent (someone who has been pre-approved to be an adopting parent) may advertise that they are looking to adopt in Ohio and other states where permitted. Our team can help you understand what to expect based on your goals.
It’s also important to consider whether you prefer an open adoption or a closed adoption. An open adoption allows for contact information and identifying information to be exchanged between the parties involved. In a closed adoption, none of the parties involved have identifying information about each other. Depending on the type of adoption you choose, you may also determine if you’d like to send or receive letters, photos, or phone calls with the birth parent, and if you’d like to allow visits with the birth parent and the adopted child.
About Taneff Law
Our firm has assisted in almost 5,000 adoption cases over our three decades of experience. We’re passionate about helping people become parents and finding safe, loving homes for children.
An attorney at our firm can also help you create an estate plan that includes who would receive custody of your children in the event of your death. This can help ensure that your children would be taken care of by someone you trust. If you need assistance creating an estate plan or updating an existing estate plan to include information regarding adopted children, our legal team can help. An estate plan also includes details about the personal and financial assets that make up your estate, so it is an important document to have.
Whether you are looking to adopt in Fairfield County or elsewhere in Ohio, need assistance with family law issues, or want to create an estate plan, it helps to have an attorney on your side. Contact Taneff Law today to learn more about our services.
Contact Us
Let us help you achieve your dream of becoming a parent.
Contact Taneff Law at (614) 241-2181 or contactus@tanefflaw.com to learn more.
250 S. Civic Center Drive, Suite 610
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 241-2181 | Fax: (614) 241-2160
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