One of the honors of having a focus on family law is the ability to help families grow and to help guardians make parental relationships official through the process of adoption. Families that wish to open their hearts and homes to a child in need can turn to the Stobie Family Law Group for advice and representation through the process of adoption. Additionally, for those who have acted as a parent for long enough to want to make it official, we are ready to help. Contact our knowledgeable and compassionate St. Louis adoption lawyers for your initial consultation today.
Adoption Lawyers Serving Families in Missouri
Our firm recognizes the significance of this monumental step. It is a major undertaking and we understand that you may have a lot of questions. If you are interested in knowing more about the process or would like to know more about how we can serve you while you move forward with adoption, contact the seasoned St. Louis family lawyers here at the Stobie Family Law Group.
Adoption Options
Adoption is often thought of as a family growing with the addition of a child. While many adoption cases do involve this traditional premise, there are numerous other reasons people adopt, including when a person acts as a guardian and wishes to formalize a parental relationship. Individuals, including grandparents, stepparents, and even aunts and uncles have stepped in to care for a child. Acting in the child’s best interests, these individuals may need to formalize their relationship to benefit the child. Whatever the case may be, it is important to have quality legal support.
The Stobie Family Law Group provides effective legal services to clients across Missouri. Our firm has significant experience assisting different types of adoptions, including:
- Domestic adoption
- International adoption
- Stepparent adoption
- Second-parent adoption
- Adult adoption
- Private adoption
- LGBT adoption
The Adoption Process in Missouri
The adoption process can be an invasive and document-heavy process. Some people will experience training courses, interviews, home visits, home inspections, background checks, reference checks, and much more. This process can be quite exciting, but also demanding. Our firm is ready to work through it with you. A brief overview of how the adoption process typically works in Missouri is as follows:
- Choose the Type of Adoption: The first step is determining what type of adoption you wish to pursue. Whether it’s a domestic adoption, international adoption, stepparent adoption, or another type, understanding which path fits your situation is essential. Each type has its own set of rules and requirements, and our experienced attorneys can help you identify which process applies to your circumstances.
- File a Petition for Adoption: Once you’ve decided on the type of adoption, the process officially begins with filing a petition for adoption in the Missouri court system. This legal document outlines your intent to adopt and provides necessary details about the prospective parents and the child. The court must review and approve this petition before the adoption can proceed further.
- Complete a Home Study: A home study is a crucial component of most adoptions in Missouri. This process involves an extensive evaluation of your home environment and your readiness to adopt. A licensed social worker will conduct interviews, perform background checks, and assess your overall living conditions to ensure that the child will be placed in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment. The home study report will be submitted to the court as part of the adoption process.
- Termination of Parental Rights: Before an adoption can be finalized, the biological parents’ rights must be legally terminated. In some cases, this happens voluntarily when a birth parent consents to the adoption. In other situations, particularly when parental neglect or abandonment has occurred, termination may happen through court intervention. This step is critical, as it legally clears the way for the adoptive parents to assume full parental responsibility.
- Background Checks and Clearances: Missouri requires prospective adoptive parents to undergo comprehensive background checks. These checks include criminal records, child abuse registry clearances, and sometimes fingerprinting. The state’s priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of the child, and background checks are an essential part of that safeguarding process.
- Placement of the Child: If the home study and other preliminary steps are completed satisfactorily, the child can be placed in your home. Depending on the circumstances of the adoption, this may occur before or after the termination of parental rights. During this time, the child will live with you under a supervisory period, and your relationship with the child will be monitored by social services or an adoption agency.
- Finalization Hearing: The adoption process culminates in a finalization hearing, where the court reviews the case and grants formal approval of the adoption. At this hearing, the judge will review all reports, including the home study and background checks, and ensure all legal requirements have been met. If everything is in order, the judge will issue an adoption decree, which legally establishes the adoptive parent(s) as the child’s permanent guardians.
- Post-Adoption Requirements: In some cases, Missouri law may require post-adoption visits or reports to ensure that the child is adjusting well to their new home. These post-adoption requirements are typically outlined during the adoption process and will vary based on the type of adoption and the child’s unique circumstances.
Contact Our Missouri Adoption Lawyers
The Stobie Family Law Group has significant experience in the field of adoption law. Our firm is ready to guide you through the process and give you the best chance of success. We know how important this is to our clients and take the responsibility seriously when retained as counsel. If you need our help, contact the Stobie Family Law Group today.
