St. Augustine Adoption Lawyer
Searching for a lawyer for adoption in St. Augustine?
Are you searching for an attorney to assist you with an adoption matter in St. Augustine? At the Albaugh Law Firm, we take pride in helping families become “complete” through the adoption process. Our St. Augustine adoption lawyers have over 70 years of combined experience to offer you, we have a former family law magistrate on our team (a judicial officer hearing family law cases), and we serve clients all throughout Flagler, Putnam, and St. Johns counties.
We understand how adoption is a very special matter, and one that requires the right legal representation. To make things easier on clients during the information gathering process, we offer complimentary consultations, as well as evening and weekend appointments to further accommodate our clients’ busy schedules.
Adoption in Florida
Adoption is a legal procedure where through a court action, a child becomes a part of a family other than that of his or her birth parents. Adoption is a significant matter since it determines the entire future of a child and permanently severs ties with the child’s birth parents and relatives, and transfers the child into a new family where he or she becomes a permanent member.
Once a child is adopted, it establishes a legal parent-child relationship between the adopted child and the adoptive parents. This relationship is identical to the legal relationship between biological parents and their children.
A successful adoption is a joyful experience for all parties involved. However, adoption is a complicated process and any individual or couple considering adoption should fully educate themselves on the process as well as the adoption complications that could arise. Florida recognizes four types of adoptions:
- Entity Adoption (Agency or Intermediary Facilitated Adoption)
- Step-Parent Adoption
- Close Relative Adoption
- Adult Adoption
Step-Parent Adoptions
Step-parent adoptions frequently occur when one biological parent is willing to give up their parental rights to a step-parent. After the adoption is completed, the step-parent has all of the same rights and responsibilities as a biological parent. With step-parent adoptions as with all Florida adoptions, if the child is twelve or older, he or she must consent to the adoption and be interviewed before signing the consent.
Adoption can be a positive, life-changing experience for all involved, but it is also a complicated procedure that must be handled carefully. If you are considering adoption, it’s very important that you consult with a St. Augustine family law attorney from the Albaugh Law Firm to ensure your rights are protected and everything moves as smoothly as possible.
