Morris County Adoption Lawyers
Helping New Jersey Families Grow
Adoptions are, without a doubt, the most joyous part of our practice, as helping to grow or complete a family is a fulfilling process for our team. Adoptions are especially near and dear to the heart of our founding partner, Ann Edens. She is adopted herself and has also experienced the joy of adopting her children. Additionally, Ms. Edens is designated as one of the adoption attorneys recommended by the prestigious Spence-Chapin Adoption Agency in New York City.
So, if you are looking to adopt within the United States, Edens Law Group, LLC, can assist you. We understand that as exciting as the adoption process is, it’s also complex and overwhelming, which is why adoptive parents should turn to experienced New Jersey adoption lawyers for guidance with the legal details. Whether you are using an agency or plan to adopt a child privately, we can be instrumental in making sure you are protected at all times. Contact us online or call our Chester, New Jersey, law firm for a free one-hour strategy session with our skilled family law attorneys.
Who Can Benefit from Our Legal Guidance with New Jersey Adoptions?
Throughout our years of providing legal services to New Jersey residents, we’re proud to say we’ve assisted families from all walks of life. We understand the strong desire to become a parent and provide a loving home for a precious child, so you can expect support and compassion from our team throughout the legal process as we explain the New Jersey adoption laws to you.
As long as you meet this state’s legal requirements to adopt a child – including being 18 or over and at least 10 years older than the child you wish to adopt – we’ll be happy to walk you through the process. We’ve represented clients hoping to become adoptive parents and birth parents hoping to find a safe, loving home for their children.
So, whether you are single, married, in a same-sex relationship, or in an opposite-sex relationship, an adoption attorney from our law firm can help you navigate the adoption process. Likewise, we represent clients who are adopting through the foster care system. We have extensive experience with the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P) and are even on their roster of adoption attorneys. If you’re a prospective parent or biological parent in need of legal guidance, call our New Jersey family law firm for a consultation with a trusted adoption attorney.
What Types of Adoptions Can We Help with?
We’ve guided birth parents and prospective adoptive parents through a variety of adoption cases, so you can rely on us to provide the legal skills you need no matter what type of adoption you’re considering. The following are the most common types of adoptions available in New Jersey:
- Domestic adoption through a private agency
- Domestic adoption through a public agency
- Direct adoption from a biological parent
- International adoption
- Foster care adoption
- Stepparent adoption
- Grandparent adoption
- Relative adoption
Whether you’re planning to adopt a child from an agency, a birth parent you already know, or a family member, there are complex laws involved that you must follow for a successful adoption process. As you get started, you might have questions about what rights the biological parents will have, whether an unfit parent must pay child support after giving up their parental rights, and who the legal parent will be after the adoption. The answers will vary depending on the details of your case, so contact us for guidance on adoption law in this state.
Note that one of the most common types of adoption we help clients with is stepparent adoption. There are many nuances involving stepparent adoptions, including obtaining the consent of the birth father or birth mother and obtaining an order of custody pending adoption. There are equally strict rules if you wish to become the adoptive parent of a family member, such as a grandchild, niece, nephew, or other relative. So, if you and your spouse are considering stepparent or family adoption, our skilled New Jersey adoption lawyers can guide you through the process.
Will You Need a Home Study Before You Adopt a Child in New Jersey?
As you begin the steps involved in adopting a child, you should be aware of some essential requirements, such as the home study. This ensures that the prospective parents can provide a safe, stable environment for the adopted child. During the home study, a social worker will not only visit the home to be sure it’s safe for children, but also interview household members to learn more about the family’s living situation.
The home study will be conducted by an approved agency and entails a visit to your home both before and after the child is placed with you. Because these home studies can be emotionally difficult, we will walk you through the process to put your mind at ease.
A background check will also be required as part of the home study. This will examine the state and federal criminal records of the prospective parents and look for a history of child abuse or neglect. The home study typically concludes after the social worker has checked the adoptive parents’ references and financial situation. If you have questions about this process or are ready to hire our team for your case, call our firm to speak with caring family law attorneys today.
How Can Morris County Adoption Attorneys Assist You?
If you’re thinking of adopting a child, it’s essential that you understand the legal process and requirements involved in this decision first. The dedicated lawyers at Edens Law Group, LLC, are knowledgeable about the laws affecting all kinds of adoptions in New Jersey, so we’d be happy to assist you in adopting from an agency, relative, or biological parent.
When you contact us for legal assistance, we’ll determine whether you qualify to adopt and help you choose the right type of adoption for your family. We provide all clients with a one-hour strategy session to discuss their legal options, so we invite you to call our New Jersey law office at 908-529-0353 to speak with a compassionate adoption lawyer.
