When you want to start or expand your family through a legal adoption, you will need a team of attorneys with the experience and knowledge to guide you through this complicated process. The Law Offices of Kerri Cohen assists clients throughout the Baltimore region in navigating the adoption process in order to help them share their love with a child.
Adoption is an extremely document-intensive legal process. The Law Offices of Kerri Cohen will provide you with the legal advice, advocacy, and guidance necessary to make the adoption process as easy as possible. We will lead you every step of the way, so that you and your new family member can focus on your future together. We know where the obstacles are and how to avoid them.
Adoption is an extremely document-intensive legal process. The Law Offices of Kerri Cohen will provide you with the legal advice, advocacy, and guidance necessary to make the adoption process as easy as possible. We will lead you every step of the way, so that you and your new family member can focus on your future together. We know where the obstacles are and how to avoid them.
Families look to adopt children for many reasons. An adoption will legally recognize the new parents the same as if he or she is their biological child, while ending any legal relationship with his or her birth parents. The new parent will have full legal rights, as well as full legal responsibilities, for the adopted child. This allows the child to have a new Birth Certificate issued, change their last name, and gives them inheritance rights with the new parents.
The most common type of adoption is Stepparent Adoption. This is where one parent remarries and their new spouse wants to adopt their children as their own. Same-sex couples can also use this process to complete their family. When the birth parent consent, the adoption can often be completed without a home study or a contested hearing. If the child is over 10 years old, they will also need to consent to the adoption and be represented by independent counsel. Parental consent is sometimes difficult to obtain in these cases, due to the permanency of relinquishing parental rights. If this happens, a Court will need to determine that adoption is in the child’s best interest. It is important to consult with a family law attorney to explain the process and requirements to determine the best method to move forward with the adoption.
Another type of adoption is an Independent Adoption. Similar to a Stepparent Adoption, this is where the adoption is completed without an agency. The birth family and prospective parents find each other privately and have much more direct contact. The birth parents will consent to relinquishing their parental rights to the child, and the new family can take custody of the child immediately after obtaining an Order from the Court. Our experienced family law attorneys can help you navigate the complicated paperwork and process to unite your family.
The knowledgeable attorneys at the Law Offices of Kerri Cohen can explain your options and the legal implications of a formal adoption, whether you are seeking to adopt or seeking to have your child adopted. We offer compassionate, supportive and effective representation. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation about your specific adoption goals.
The most common type of adoption is Stepparent Adoption. This is where one parent remarries and their new spouse wants to adopt their children as their own. Same-sex couples can also use this process to complete their family. When the birth parent consent, the adoption can often be completed without a home study or a contested hearing. If the child is over 10 years old, they will also need to consent to the adoption and be represented by independent counsel. Parental consent is sometimes difficult to obtain in these cases, due to the permanency of relinquishing parental rights. If this happens, a Court will need to determine that adoption is in the child’s best interest. It is important to consult with a family law attorney to explain the process and requirements to determine the best method to move forward with the adoption.
Another type of adoption is an Independent Adoption. Similar to a Stepparent Adoption, this is where the adoption is completed without an agency. The birth family and prospective parents find each other privately and have much more direct contact. The birth parents will consent to relinquishing their parental rights to the child, and the new family can take custody of the child immediately after obtaining an Order from the Court. Our experienced family law attorneys can help you navigate the complicated paperwork and process to unite your family.
The knowledgeable attorneys at the Law Offices of Kerri Cohen can explain your options and the legal implications of a formal adoption, whether you are seeking to adopt or seeking to have your child adopted. We offer compassionate, supportive and effective representation. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation about your specific adoption goals.