Second Parent Adoptions
A Second parent adoption is an adoption of a child by a parental figure who isn’t married to the legal or biological parent. The second parent does not have to live in the same household as the child. One bio parent’s rights are terminated, the other bio parent’s rights are maintained. The second parent takes the place of the bio parent whose rights have been terminated. Consequently, this option is frequently used in cases where a grandparent adopts his/her grandchild without the termination of their child’s parental rights. These cases are successful when the terminating parent has been absent for a period of at least one year or the parent consents to the adoption.
Also, second parent adoptions involve adoptions by an aunt or uncle or even friends when one of the biological parents has become uninvolved with the child.
The attorneys at BERRY & DOMER provide legal services for people who need a second parent adoption. We can handle all aspects of these adoptions, including termination of a biological parent’s parental rights. Second parent adoptions often require a home study and criminal background checks. Our partnering adoption agency, Heartland Adoption Agency, can often help you accomplish these steps. Likewise, we will then guide you through the adoption process.
Our firm is very familiar with the courts and have good relationships with area judges. Above all we strive to complete the adoption process for clients as efficiently and effectively as possible.