My name is Danielle Diaz. One of the things I've learned in life, both inside and outside the courtroom, is that it is important to not see others as your enemy. Even though you may see the prosecutor as your enemy, he or she is just trying to do a job. It may be possible that you can get a prosecutor or the judge to be sympathetic and get him or her on your side. In order to accomplish this, you need to understand the law. I feel that most individuals do not understand the law, which is why I was motivated to create this blog.
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Fostering To Adoption: Taking The Next Steps And What That Entails
Douglas Thompson
If you have served as a foster parent for quite some time now, you know how some children are bounced from foster home to foster home until the issues with their natural parents are resolved or until they "age out" of foster care at 18. While you may not grow attached to every child that spends time at your home, you may find a few to which you are so attached you cannot let go. Adopting these children is a major decision, since there may be many legal obstacles to adopting the kids. This where an adoption lawyer can assist you, but you should also be prepared for the following steps and challenges.
The Birth Parents Are Not Likely to Give up the Children Easily
Most kids in foster care come to it because their birth parents are unable to care for them properly or have been accused of more heinous acts against their children. Other children, a rare few, enter the foster care system because their parent or parents have died suddenly and extended family have to be found so that the child can be cared for by people they know. In the first case, you may have several more challenges adopting children whose birth parents are still alive, since most parents develop very strong attachments to their children. In the second instance, you may have to go through legal battles with extended family to obtain the right to adopt the children.
After You Win the Battles, the Adoption Process Begins
If the birth parents surrender their legal rights to their children, then you can begin the adoption process. Likewise, if extended family does not wish to take on the responsibility of raising the orphaned children or does not contest your intent to adopt, you can begin the adoption process. Usually, the adoption lawyer that managed your family court cases can handle your adoption filing and hearing too, since it falls under family court jurisdiction. However, that also depends on where you live, since family and adoption law in every state is quite different.
There Will Be Tests, Paperwork, Assessments, and Trial Periods
Depending on where you live, the courts may require that you, your spouse (if applicable), and the children you wish to adopt all go through several tests for physical, emotional, and psychological health. Paperwork is filed for the first hearing of the adoption process. Other types of court-ordered assessments may be in order, and you and the children may have to undergo several other kinds of assessments, which the courts may deem fit to order and expect you to execute.
There may also be a trial period, where the children live with you for one or two years to see if you can effectively provide them with the kind of home they need. Then you will have a final hearing on the matter, and the judge will will either grant the adoption request or deny it. Your lawyer can explain the laws specific to your state better.
For more information, contact a professional in your area or visit a website like http://www.janssenlawoffice.com.
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