Adopting A Child In Maryland
Adoption is beautiful, and it’s a wonderful way to expand your family. There are legal steps to consider, documents to file and interviews to attend. It’s also an expensive process, so it’s important that you know what steps to take to avoid unnecessary expenses.
We are happy to help at Trevillian Law. As lawyers from Severn, we genuinely care about helping our neighbors through the adoption process. We offer over 85 years of combined experience. You may face complications, but we’ve been through this before and can guide you with compassion, dedication and legal acumen.
Types Of Adoption In Maryland
There are a few different types of adoption to choose from in Maryland:
- Independent adoptions: Private parties will sometimes engage in independent adoptions. An example of this is a stepparent who wants to adopt their stepchild.
- Private agency adoptions: In other cases, people work with a private adoption agency. They help make the connections, identifying interested families and matching them with eligible children.
- Public agency adoptions: The Department of Social Services can also handle adoption cases if parental rights have been terminated.
Birth parents usually have to consent to the adoption, if they can be located. Without parental consent, the court in Anne Arundel County or another region can decide if the adoption should be granted during a hearing.
Who Is Eligible To Adopt?
To be eligible to adopt, a person has to be 18 years old. They may be married if they have a stable relationship, but single people can also adopt. 27 hours of pre-service training is required, and the person looking to adopt needs to provide their medical records as it relates to their ability to care for the child.
Adoption Requirements
Additionally, adults looking to adopt must meet certain requirements. They may have to go through a background check, for instance, or participate in an interview where they talk about their desire to adopt. Agencies will conduct a home visit to see if the living situation is safe for the child, and they usually require financial transparency at this time.
Adoption Attorneys In Severn, Maryland
If you’re looking for an experienced and knowledgeable adoption lawyer who really cares, call our offices in Severn at 410-609-9987 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. Let our 85 years of experience provide the legal support you need.