Adoption Guide

If you are planning on adopting a child, you will require the assistance of an experienced family law attorney. State laws regulate the adoption procedure. However if you are adopting a child from another country, you will have to comply with a host of Federal and international laws. You will also have to comply with the requirements under US immigration laws. Adoption involves complex rules and procedures. It is easy to get lost in this complex maze of rules and procedures. An experienced Atlanta family law attorney can help you navigate this complex maze with ease.

Generally you have to be an adult to be eligible to adopt. You can adopt as a single parent or as a married couple. If you are a step parent, you can also adopt the birth child of your spouse. Besides these general rules there are other rules which can vary from state to state. Consult with an experienced family law attorney to know the exact requirements of your state. In some states you if you are married you cannot adopt singly unless you are legally separated from your spouse or your spouse is legally incompetent.

Your age is an important factor in determining your eligibility to adopt. In most states, you must be 18 years or older. In some states you must be at least 21 years of age. In some states you must have completed at least 25 years of age to be eligible to adopt a child. In some states you can adopt a child even if you are a minor in some exceptional cases. An experienced family law attorney can provide you with invaluable advice on the legal age requirements under your state laws.

The age difference between you and the adopted child is also very important. For an adoption to be legally valid, all states require that the adopting parents be older than the adopted child by a certain number of years. The number of years is determined by state law and can vary from 10 years to 15 years. Seek the advice on an experienced family law attorney to know the exact age difference requirements under your state laws.

Some states have residency requirements for eligibility. Unless you are a resident of that state for a certain number of days, you will not be eligible for adopt under the laws of such states. This period can vary from 60 days to a year. Some states allow an exception in the case of special needs child. In some states, if the adoption is through an agency, then you need not meet the residency requirements. An experienced family law attorney can advise you on the residency requirements of your state.

The law on adoption by same sex couples is in an evolutionary stage. Some states prohibit adoption by same sex couples where some states do not allow adoptions by same sex couples who are not married. If you are a same sex couple seeking to adopt a child, consult with an experienced Atlanta adoption attorney for advice.