If you are considering adding a child to your family through adoption in New Jersey, it is in your best interest to work with a family lawyer who has experience handling adoptions. Although you are not required to work with a lawyer to complete the adoption process, an experienced attorney can protect your rights, promote your interests, and help you avoid certain pitfalls as you work through the adoption process.
The procedure for adopting a child differs depending on the type of adoption you choose. For example, if you adopt a child from another country, you will need to abide by that country’s laws for adoptive foreign parents as well as the United States’ laws. Adopting a child from New Jersey can involve different laws than adopting a child from another state, as can adopting a child through an agency or private adoption versus adopting your spouse’s child. When you initially speak with an adoption lawyer, discuss the type of adoption you plan to complete so they can advise you accordingly.
In addition to advising you about the applicable laws to your adoption, your lawyer can ensure that your paperwork is completed correctly and submitted to the correct agencies on time.
At the Law Offices of Kisha M. Hebbon, we can also advocate for you if you face difficulties with your adoption, such as being denied the opportunity to adopt because of your age or another issue present in your lifestyle. Adoptive and foster families who work with the New Jersey Department of Children and Families must complete a home study assessment and be designated as “Resource Families” by the Office of Licensing. This can be a fairly intensive process, which we can walk you through before you begin.
Finally, it is possible to face backlash and other issues from a child’s birth parent or other relative before or after the adoption is finalized. This can include attempts at extortion from a child’s birth parent or attempts to recover parental rights after they have been terminated. If you are in the process of adopting a child who is currently in the foster care system whose birth parent’s right to the child are precarious, you can face this issue.
Many couples and singles choose adoption as a way to bring children into their families. If you are considering adopting a child in New Jersey, work with an experienced Franklin adoption lawyer who can explain the process to you and represent your case to ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible. Complete our online form or call the Law Offices of Kisha M. Hebbon, LLC at 732-633-2224 to set up your initial consultation in our Somerset, New Jersey offices.
Our Franklin adoption lawyers represent clients throughout New Jersey including Somerset County, Middlesex County, Union County and including but not limited to the towns of Somerset, Franklin, Bridgewater, New Brunswick, East Brunswick, Plainfield, Edison, Metuchen, Woodbridge, Piscataway, Old Bridge, Rahway, Linden, Elizabeth, Cranford, Summit, Union, Clark, Elizabeth, Berkeley Heights, and Scotch Plains.