I understand that going through an adoption, no matter what kind, can be an exciting and emotional time, and I am deeply committed to my role as not only an advocate, but also a counselor in law. Having adopted my own children, the process is very familiar to me not only on a professional level, but on a personal level as well. If you are considering an adoption of any kind, I would be honored to work with you.
Stepparent Adoption
A stepparent adoption is when the spouse of one of the biological parents of the child files to adopt the child. Generally speaking, the process of stepparent adoption is much faster and simpler than other kinds of adoptions. One of the main requirements of this kind of adoption is that both biological parents must give consent. This can be the most difficult part of the process for the other parent, as they are essentially giving up their parental rights. One of the positives for that parent is that after giving up their parental rights, they would no longer be responsible for child support. If unable to obtain consent from one of the biological parents, there are a few potential loopholes, including: if the parent is deemed “unfit”, if they have abandoned the child, or if they are found to not actually be the biological parent.
Direct Placement Adoption
The two most common types of adoption are agency adoption (adoption facilitated through an adoption agency) and direct placement adoption (when a birth mother identifies the adoptive parents and places the child directly with them). To proceed with a direct placement adoption in the state of North Carolina, you will need an experienced attorney to help guide you through the process. Having adopted my own children, in addition to professionally facilitating numerous adoptions for other families, I have both the professional and personal experience to help you through this process.
Termination of Parental Rights
There are several situations in which the other parent or a person seeking to adopt a child might pursue a petition to terminate a parent’s parental rights. In order to qualify for a parent’s rights to be terminated in the state of North Carolina, the parent must meet one of the grounds for termination laid out in the North Carolina General Statute § 7B-1111. This statute lays out several circumstances under which the termination of parental rights may be granted, including abuse/neglect, abandonment, inability to provide care, among other things. The court must also find that the termination of the parent’s rights would be in the best interest of the child. To decide this, the court will look at many different factors before making this decision, including the child’s age and their relationship with the parent. Before filing a petition to terminate parental rights, it is highly recommended to consult with an experienced attorney, as this action can have profound legal significance.
