Types of Adoption

Adoption is a truly rewarding experience for individuals and couples who wish to expand their family.  If you are interested in learning more about adoption, you should consider speaking with an experienced adoption lawyer sooner rather than later.  Although adoption is a joyful experience, the adoption process can easily become complicated and complex, as there are many laws involved and a lot of red tape to work through.  In addition, when people apply to adopt a child they must go through several investigations, interviews, and legal proceedings. Having a skilled Riverside adoption lawyer on your side throughout this process will ensure your rights and best interests are protected, and that your case remains on track.

Types of Adoption

Once you have made the decision to adopt a child you must determine what type of adoption you are interested in.  There are several different types of adoption, including:

• Closed Adoption:  You will not meet the child’s birth parents.
• Open Adoption: You will meet, get to know, and work with the child’s birth parents throughout the adoption process.
• International Adoption:  Refers to adopting a child from outside the U.S.
• Domestic Adoption:  Refers to adopting a child from within the U.S
• Foster Care Adoption:   Refers to adopting a child that was placed in your foster care.  This type of adoption is a little more complicated, as the child’s biological parents must consent to the adoption or terminate their parental rights.
• Step-Parent Adoption:  Refers to when a child’s step-parent formally adopts the child.  In doing so, the step-parent now has both legal and parental rights.
• Inter-Family Adoption:   Refers to adopting a niece, cousin, grandchild, etc.  Like foster care adoption, the biological parents (unless deceased) must sign their consent or terminate their parental rights.
• Special-Needs Adoption:  Refers to adopting a child with a disability.