Etowah County & Gadsden Adoption Attorneys

The decision to adopt a child may be one of the most meaningful choices you ever make. Bringing a child into your lives or creating a legal bond with a child already in your care can be life altering for your whole family. However, the preparation and legal requirements surrounding the adoption process can be complicated and intimidating.

Who should you hire for your adoption case?

First, look for attorney's qualifications. The National Trial Lawyers Associations selected Dani Bone as a Top 100 Lawyer in the Country for 2018. The National Trial Lawyers Associations selected Sam Bone as a Top 40 Lawyer Under 40 for 2015.
Next, look at our reviews online for our services and compare them to other attorneys in the area to decide whether we should be your lawyer.

Guiding You Through Every Step of the Alabama Adoption Process

Attorneys Dani Bone & Sam Bone and their legal staff provide prompt, personal and focused attention to their clients seeking to adopt. They are dedicated to being there for these clients at every step in the adoption process.

Experience in Gadsden, Alabama Adoption Cases

Some of the adoption issues our firm can assist you with include:

Stepparent adoption

Stepparents often play a parental role to a child, but do not have the legal rights and decision-making power a legal parent would have. Stepparent adoption adds a legal bond to the emotional and familial bond a stepparent and stepchild have formed.

Relative adoption

Many Alabama children live with and are cared for by grandparents, older siblings, aunts and uncles and other relatives. Alabama law makes it easier for a closely related caretaker to adopt a child who has been living with him or her for at least a year.

Adoption of Special needs children

Many children you might not think of as having special needs fall within this adoption category. A child may be considered “special needs” based on age, mental or physical disabilities, parental risk factors, or even the number of siblings in a family unit.

SAME SEX ADOPTION - LGBT ADOPTION

Exciting changes in Alabama law make adoptions possible for members of the LGBT community and same-sex married couples. If you and your partner are in a LGBT relationship and are looking to start a family through adoption or looking to adopt your spouse's children, Dani Bone & Sam Bone in Gadsden, Alabama have the knowledge, experience and expertise to ensure that you are able to give your love and care to children who need it.

Adoption Changes Children’s Lives

At any time, there are hundreds of children in Alabama waiting for permanent homes. Adoption is one of the greatest gifts you can give a child, and that holds true whether you are adopting a stepchild or are interested in adopting a child unrelated to you or your spouse (should you be married). However, it is important that you have a clear understanding of the Alabama adoption process and the legal effect of adopting a child. An experienced adoption attorney can help ensure that your adoption moves forward as smoothly as possible, and that the terms are as beneficial as possible for your family.

Adoption Licensing Requirements in Alabama

Of course, the state of Alabama and the agencies that assist in the adoption process want to ensure the best care possible for adopted children. Therefore, most adoptive parents must undergo evaluation. Some typical criteria for approval include:

Being at least 19 years of age
Completion of criminal background checks on all household members aged 19 or older
Maintaining a stable family life
Being of reasonably good health (this will be verified via medical forms)
Providing character references

In addition, at least one of the prospective parents must be a U.S. citizen.

Exceptions to Adoption Licensing Requirements

Under certain circumstances, the State Office of Adoption may issue an exception to one or more of these requirements. This typically occurs when the family in question proves to be an exceptionally good option for placement of the child, despite failing to fulfill a particular requirement.

Requests for exceptions must be submitted in advance, and require the support of the child-placing agency or county processing the application. Thus, if you know that you don’t meet a particular requirement or are concerned that you may not fulfill all of the criteria, it is in your best interests to get help from an experienced adoption lawyer early in the process.

Stepparent Adoptions in alabama

Stepparent adoptions are among the most common types of adoption in the state of Alabama. In a stepparent adoption case, the Petition for Adoption must be served on the child’s “other” biological parent. Ideally, the other parent will consent, clearing the way for the adoption. However, in many cases, it is possible to proceed with the adoption over the natural parent’s objections. An experienced adoption lawyer can be your best source of information about your options for pursuing stepparent adoption, with or without the consent of the other parent.

Relative and Grandparent Adoptions in alabama

Grandparent adoptions and other relative adoptions allow family members who are raising children informally or as guardians to legally cement their relationships, giving the children greater security and stability. Under Alabama law, relatives who have been caring for a child for year or more are exempt from parts of the pre-adoption investigation, allowing the adoption to move forward more quickly and easily. Working with a Huntsville adoption attorney can further smooth the process, moving you efficiently toward a successful adoption.

Put your trust in a gadsden, AL adoption lawyer who puts people first

Call 256-547-1005 or fill out our online inquiry form and schedule a consultation. We can explain all the legal options available to you, enabling you to make an informed decision as to how to handle your case. You're in charge. You decide.

But don't take our word for it. Read the testimonials from our satisfied clients throughout Alabama on our Facebook Page and our Google Reviews. Case results matter here.