ADOPTION ATTORNEY IN OVERLAND PARK, KS

Making the decision to adopt is a momentous occasion. No matter how you’ve found yourself at this point, know that you’ll not only be enhancing your own lives, but you’ll also be giving a lifetime of love and support to someone who really needs it. Adoption can be a long and complex road, but it’s worth it. If you’re thinking about adopting but aren’t sure what your first steps should be, contact Jeffers Law Office today for a free initial telephone consultation. Located in Overland Park, Kansas, the firm serves clients throughout Johnson County including Olathe, Lenexa, Shawnee, Leawood, and Prairie Village.

TYPES OF ADOPTION

There are many reasons an individual or couple may choose to adopt, and each requires a unique approach to account for the different legal requirements. Additionally, there’s more than one way to go about adopting, and you should always work with an experienced attorney.

A private adoption can be done with or without an agency, as long as all parties consent to the adoption. Some people may wish to adopt through surrogacy (sometimes called assisted reproduction) in which a pregnancy is planned and medically administered into the surrogate. You may also choose an international adoption of a child who lives outside of the U.S. It’s also common for a step-parent to adopt the child of the current spouse, or one adult can even adopt another adult.

One last option is to pursue a state adoption. The state of Kansas runs foster care and adoption programs for children in need of custody. Typically, the state attempts to place these children with family members, but they may also be adopted by non-family members. 

KANSAS ADOPTION LAWS

Kansas allows any person to be adopted—child or adult—but those over the age of 14 must give their consent. Additionally, any adult or married couple can choose to adopt, but with a step-parent adoption, both partners must consent. These adoptions are common if a step-parent needs to ensure certain inheritance rights for a child who’s not biologically their own.

OVERVIEW OF THE ADOPTION PROCESS

The adoption process will look different depending on what type of adoption you’re seeking. However, there are some steps that will be the same:

In all adoptions, the birth parents' parental rights will be terminated. In non-stepparent adoptons, before adoptive parents are approved by the state, an assessment of the advisabilty of the adoption must be performed by a qualified person or agency. This may involve interviews and a home visit and a report of the assessment must be filed with the court. You’ll also need to choose a person or agency to work with. Aslo, while it’s not required, most adoptive families work closely with a family law attorney to facilitate the legal process.