Las Vegas Adoption Lawyer

Child Adoption Attorneys that Take Pride in Helping Families Grow

Adoption provides a way for a couple to create a family when options are limited, while also giving children a chance to grow up in a safe and loving environment. The Las Vegas Family Law Firm The Hill Law Group can help couples fulfill the goal of building a family without them having to stress over the legal complexities involved. Our Family Law Attorneys will make sure couples are fully supported while facing the sometimes challenging process of filing for adoption.

Child Adoption Law

According to state law, a minor child may be adopted by an adult. The person adopting a child must be at least 10 years older than the person adopted, and the consent of the child, if over the age of 14 years, is necessary to its adoption. If the child being adopted is an Indian child, different rules apply and the case would have to proceed under The Indian Child Welfare Act.

Who may petition? Any adult person or any two persons married to each other may petition the district court of any county in this state for leave to adopt a child. The petition by a person having a husband or wife shall not be granted unless the husband or wife consents.

Different Types of Adoptions

A Child Adoption Attorney will explain the adoption methods available to prospective parents:

• Traditional adoption – a licensed adoption agency chooses the family for the child. The adoptive parents do not have contact with the birth parents.
• Semi-traditional adoption – where the birth parents help to select the adoptive parents. The birth parents do not have contact with the adoptive family.
• Open adoption – the adoptive parents and the birth parents agree how much personal information they will share about themselves to each other.

A Child Adoption Lawyer will help prospective parents understand what is required of them in each of the stages throughout the adoption process. The attorney can also help parents prepare for the face-to-face meeting with the birth parents, and eventually the child.

Once the prospective parents decide on the adoption method, arrangements are made to meet the child. A Las Vegas Adoption Attorney can offer advice and assist with any question the couple has and also coordinate with case workers to schedule visits by the child to their home. Case workers will consider how well the child and family are adjusting to each other during the visits. If a positive relationship develops, the child will move into the home and live at least six months with the prospective parents.

This process is primarily for parents who are working with adoption agencies. This step is not necessary if the child is already living with a stepparent, a relative or guardian who wants to adopt the child.

The Legal Side of Adoption in Las Vegas

At the appropriate time, the Child Adoption Lawyer will file a petition for adoption in family court.

The court will schedule a hearing to consider testimony from any of the parties and to ask questions. The Adoption Lawyer will attend the hearing to represent the prospective adoptive parents and offer support throughout to prepare the couple for what will be expected from them.

If the judge is satisfied that a positive relationship has been established between the child and the family and that all the legal requirements have been met, the adoption request is granted.

The Hill Law Group and MyVegasFamilyLaw.com is committed to being there for prospective parents every step of the way. It is our goal to enforce the rights of our clients so their dream of making a family quickly becomes a reality.

Shauna Hill