Blog: Why Do You Need to Hire an Adoption Attorney?

Why Do You Need to Hire an Adoption Attorney?

If you’re looking to adopt a child in the state of Utah, you may want to look for an

adoption attorney first.

The concept of adoption, matching children with people who want to become parents, is

fairly straightforward. The laws governing adoption aren’t – and several steps must be

taken before a child can be placed in your care. With all of the requirements and

regulations, becoming an adoptive parent can be a prolonged and complex process.

Hiring an adoption attorney isn’t mandatory in Utah, but having a skilled legal

professional on your side makes the experience both easier and less stressful. Here’s

why.

Understanding the Adoption Requirements in Utah

Different states have different adoption laws. Whether you want to adopt a stepchild,

nephew, niece or another relative – or if you’re planning to adopt a child from outside of

the family – you’ll need to understand Utah’s legal requirements.

Adoptions are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and an accomplished adoption

attorney can advise you on the qualifications. Utah law is rather flexible in terms of

eligibility for adoptive parents, and as long as you’re at least 21 years of age, you can

welcome a child into your family regardless of your marital status and sexual orientation.

Owning your own home isn’t required, and neither is a high income.

However, there are some additional considerations. For instance, cohabitation isn’t

permitted, and anyone who is married or in a civil union must have their partner’s

consent. In addition, Utah adoption agencies may have their own requirements. An

experienced adoption attorney will understand all of this, and they’ll be able to assist

you in addressing any legal matters that may have an impact on your case.

Factors that Influence Adoption Decisions in Utah

Before a child is placed in your care, you’ll have to pass a stringent background check.

Your residence must meet certain requirements as well, and the state will conduct a

home study to make sure that your abode is a safe and healthy place for a child to live.

An adoption attorney with extensive experience helping individuals and families in Utah

will have knowledge of the factors at play in adoption evaluations. Your readiness to

become an adoptive parent will be assessed on a variety of levels by a case worker --

the matters they’ll investigate include:

 Your employment history and financial situation

 Your physical health and your medical history

 Your mental, social and emotional health

 Your interpersonal relationships and family dynamics

 Your parenting style and/or experience with children

 Your ability to provide a child with medical insurance

 Your home’s location and the nearby community

In the event that the case worker has concerns, or if you have questions about the

investigation, you’ll appreciate having an adoption attorney in your corner. A skilled

legal professional will not only help you prepare for the home study and screening, but

they’ll also be there to protect your legal rights.

Issues that Can Arise During the Adoption Process

If you’re a first-time adoptive parent, you may not be aware of the types of legal

problems you may face when trying to welcome a new addition to the family. Issues can

result in significant delays – and as every experienced adoption attorney knows,

complications could even jeopardize your efforts to adopt a child.

To give you an idea of what we mean, some individuals and families in Utah face

challenges like:

 A strong adoption prospect falls through

 A biological parent contests the adoption

 A mother changes her mind after giving birth

 A putative father wants custody of the child

 The birth family wants more time with the child

These aren’t the only obstacles people encounter during the adoption process, and

sometimes, legal difficulties develop after an adoption has been finalized. You may

need an adoption attorney for advice and guidance with any issues that arise – and

truth be told, if you hire the right lawyer from the start, you can avoid many types of

legal challenges.

How to Choose an Adoption Attorney

Not every law firm in Utah specializes in adoption, and some attorneys only work with

adoptive parents on an occasional basis. Having a lawyer who devotes a large amount

of time to adoption-related legal matters is essential, as that makes the journey toward

parenthood as smooth and easy as possible.

To find the right adoption attorney, begin by doing some research and compiling a list of

local legal professionals. Then, interview each one – most, including Tara Reilly here at

Full Circle Family Law, offer free consultations, so you have nothing to lose by speaking

with a few different lawyers. As for what to ask an adoption attorney, here are some

questions to consider:

 How long have you been practicing family law?

 What percentage of your practice is devoted to adoption?

 Do you handle open adoptions, closed adoptions or both?

 What legal services do you provide to adoptive parents?

 Have you received any professional recognition for your work?

If you live in or near Salt Lake County, Utah, and you’re looking for a local adoption

attorney, turn to Full Circle Family Law. Regardless of your situation, you can count on

our legal team to make the process of adopting a child as simple and stress-free as

possible.

For a free consultation with a skilled and dedicated adoption attorney, contact Full Circle

Family Law in Salt Lake City, Utah, today.