The Florida Adoption Process

Adopting a child is a wonderful way to create a family or ensure that your child gets the upbringing that they deserve. The adoption process can seem daunting, but an experienced Florida family law attorney can help answer all your questions and facilitate the process. At Bubley & Bubley, P.A. our skilled Tampa adoption lawyers have helped many residents through the adoption process. If you are interested in learning more either as potential adoptive parents or a parent considering placement of a child for adoption, contact our office today to schedule a consultation.

Making the Decision 

The first step in this process is making the decision that adoption is right for you. It is critical that you have this conversation with those you are close with and who may have a hand in the situation. Once the decision is made, the next step is finding the adoption situation that will work best for you. This can be done either through conversations with a lawyer, adoption agency, or determined before those conversations occur. Adoptive parents should consider how much they wish to spend on adoption, what contact they wish to have with the birth parents, and what kind of child they wish to adopt. A birth parent must also consider what type of parents they wish for their child to end up with.

Legal Process 

Once a match is found between a child and the adoptive parents, the legal process must begin. An attorney can file the proper petition with the court and begin the other steps necessary to secure an adoption. This may include working on consent documents with an expectant mother, terminating the rights of the birth father, and submitting documentation that shows proof of a successful home visit and training on the part of the adoptive parents. If the adoption is happening between parents and a foster child, there may be additional steps necessary to comply with state law.

Finalizing Adoption 

The last step is finalizing the adoption of the child. If the child’s mother is still pregnant, 48 hours must pass after the birth before the mother can legally consent to the adoption. The adoptive parents receive physical custody of the child, and post-placement visits will occur to ensure that everything is going well for the new family. A final court hearing will then occur where the judge will award legal custody of the child to the adoptive parents and formally terminate all parental rights of the birth parents. The adoptive parents will receive a final adoption decree, and the process is complete!

Talk to Our Office Today 

The process of adoption is a wonderful experience for many involved, and hiring an experienced attorney to handle your case can take the stress out of the process for adoptive parents or parents seeking placement for their child. To learn more about this process, call the office or contact Bubley & Bubley, P.A. in Tampa today to schedule a consultation of your adoption case.