Adopting a child is a very noble act and deserves the affirmation and support of society in the broadest sense. This process involves checks, evaluations, years of waiting and patience. Be emotionally prepared for everything that awaits you, because you have to go through legal and administrative processes. However, your lawyer will help you not to wait too long. For more helpful tips, keep reading and you will find many useful info since Christine Gallagher from Gallagher Spokane gave us a helping hand.
Table of Contents
1. Check If You Meet The Requirements For Potential Adopters
Apart from married and unmarried couples, children can also be adopted by single people, men and women. It is more difficult for singles and unmarried couples to reach their goal. In that case, the process takes longer, because the procedure is slightly different. Questions concerning the social network of a person who wants to adopt a child are addressed.
In order to adopt a child, you must meet the conditions stipulated by law. It happens that the family legal status of the child is not resolved, which means that the adoption process is delayed. Even when the primary family relinquishes custody, Social Security is required to investigate members within the extended family first. The topics also refer to the partner relationship, the stability of the marriage.
2. Get All The Documentation
There are several key steps in this process. One of the most important things is to get the documentation you need to apply for adoption. This includes identity cards from birth and marriage certificates, confirmation that you are not deprived of parental rights, files, medical certificates, etc.
Equally important are information about property and income, as well as talking to experts. This applies to psychologists, pedagogues, social workers and lawyers. Based on the interview, an assessment of the candidate’s general suitability is made. Psycho-social characteristics are assessed based on interviews and home visits.
3. Hire A Lawyer
If you decide to start this process, do not do so without a trusted attorney such as ones from Gallagher Spokane office. It will significantly speed up the adoption process, and we all know that the time period can vary a lot. It is affected by various factors, but with the help of a lawyer you will get the necessary amount of documents in a short time. Thanks to them, all documents will be filled out correctly. Family law is often very complicated, especially if you are not a lawyer. It is important that you fully understand your rights as well as your legal obligations as a potential adopter.
Because understanding your rights is of the utmost importance, you must have someone by your side to guide you. You will also be more prepared for home visits and interviews, as you will cover all areas with the lawyer before the appointment. He will successfully represent you at all hearings and you will receive referrals for other adoption services.
4. Be Patient
We’re sure you can’t wait to become the legal parents of the child you’ve been dreaming about for a long time, but the best things take longer. Assessment and preparation should ideally take a couple of months, but it all depends on conditions and laws. Don’t forget that the child’s interests are paramount and that the state must conduct a thorough investigation. If you are adopting older children, you will have to wait for their consent.
Conclusion
If you want to expand your family and give a child second chance for stability and love, do it right. Christine Gallagher, graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law, has encountered many such cases at Gallagher Spokane and she said to us that adoption process protects their best interests, so try to stay calm. Focus on arranging your home, collecting documents, work on yourself and get a good lawyer.
