Edmond Adoption Lawyers

Adoption Attorneys Serving Oklahoma City & Oklahoma County

Choosing to adopt can be a wonderful way to expand your family and give a child a better future. However, merely wanting to adopt a child is not enough to make this a reality. Even initially qualified parties must convince both the court and the Department of Human Services that they would provide a good home for the child. This includes proving that biological parents no longer have any rights over the child.

An Edmond adoption lawyer at The Smith Firm may be able to help you. Our dedicated team of attorneys can help you complete the qualifying factors to adopt a child as well as gather evidence that shows biological parents no longer have parental rights. In addition, they can provide more information about the legal effects of adoption on both parents and children. 

For your initial consultation, call us at (405) 331-7884 or use our online form. We are available to schedule virtual calls.

Types of Adoption in Oklahoma

There are several types of adoptions, each with its own characteristics and legal implications. 

Here are some common types of adoptions:

1. Domestic adoption: Domestic adoption refers to the adoption of a child within the United States. It can involve adopting an infant, a toddler, or an older child. Domestic adoptions can be facilitated through public agencies, private agencies, or independent adoptions arranged directly between birth parents and adoptive parents.
2. International adoption: International adoption involves the adoption of a child from another country. It typically requires compliance with the laws and regulations of both the adoptive parents’ country and the child’s country of origin. International adoptions often involve working with adoption agencies or facilitators specializing in inter-country adoptions.
3. Foster care adoption: Foster care adoption occurs when a child who is placed in the foster care system becomes legally available for adoption. These children may have been removed from their biological parents’ care due to abuse, neglect, or other circumstances. Foster care adoption provides a permanent home for children who cannot return to their birth families.
4. Relative adoption: Relative adoption happens when a child is adopted by a close relative, such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or sibling. This type of adoption allows the child to maintain connections with their biological family while providing a stable and permanent home.
5. Stepparent adoption: Stepparent adoption occurs when a stepparent legally adopts their spouse’s child from a previous relationship. This adoption establishes a legal parent-child relationship between the stepparent and the child, providing the stepparent with parental rights and responsibilities.
6. Open adoption: Open adoption involves some level of ongoing contact and communication between the birth parents, adoptive parents, and the adopted child. The degree of openness varies and can include sharing identifying information, regular visits, or communication through letters, emails, or social media. Open adoption allows for ongoing connections and exchange of information between the different parties involved.
7. Closed adoption: In a closed adoption, there is little or no contact or exchange of information between the birth parents, adoptive parents, and the adopted child. Identifying information may be sealed, and the records are not readily accessible to the parties involved. 

What Are Contested Adoptions?

A contested adoption occurs when one or more parties involved in the adoption process dispute or contest the adoption. This can happen for various reasons and typically involves legal proceedings to resolve the disagreement.