Ohio Family Law - Adoption Law

Adoption Law

The Adoption Attorneys at Sheppard Law Offices are pleased to provide assistance with step-parent adoptions and international adoptions.

When a parent remarries after the death of a former spouse or after a divorce, the new spouse may desire to formally adopt the child, or children, of their current spouse. A step-parent may choose to formally adopt a spouse's child from a prior relationship, but the natural parent must receive notice of the adoption proceeding.

In a step-parent adoption, the natural parent must consent to the adoption or he or she must be determined to be "unfit" before the adoption is finalized. A similar protocol applies when a child is born out of wedlock.

It will come as no surprise that the road to a successful international adoption is difficult. This type of adoption involves a vast amount of paperwork and navigating through the legalities and documentary requirements of Ohio, the United States, and the laws of the child’s country of origin.

At Sheppard Law Offices, we have experienced that international adoptions are increasing in frequency. Before you embark on an international adoption, we strongly recommend that you meet with the Adoption Law Attorneys at Sheppard Law Offices. We will assist you with all of the intricacies relating to these relevant immigration laws.

Ohio, along with five other states (Alaska, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, and West Virginia) require that all adoptive placements be made by the State Department of Human or Social Services or child-placing agencies that are licensed by the State or meet certain standards.

Having a short supply of healthy newborns ready to be placed for adoption, adopting parents are especially vulnerable to offers to buy a "black-market baby", typically for an exorbitant sum of money. Paying large sums of money is unnecessary because in most states, adopting parents pay ONLY the mother’s medical expenses, counseling and legal costs. Adoptive parents are NOT allowed to pay the biological mother to give up her child. The law is VERY specific in stating that this conduct is considered to be a “black-market adoption” (the buying and selling of children), and it is a crime in EVERY state.

Contact the Adoption Lawyers at Sheppard Law Offices for a free one-half (1/2) hour initial consultation to discuss your rights and options.

Our family law firm can assist you in the following areas:

• Divorce
• Dissolution
• Custody & Visitation
• Shared Parenting Plans
• Child & Spousal Support
• Adoption Law
• Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
• Annulment
• Legal Separation
• Contempt – violation of court orders
• Modification – changing court orders

Contact our office today and schedule your free one-half (1/2) hour initial consultation. 1-877-505-9455

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Contact Sheppard Law Offices and Attorney Kenneth L. Sheppard, Jr. to discuss your particular situation. Call today to schedule your free consultation at 1-877-505-9455.

 

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