Glendale, AZ Adoption Lawyer

Glendale, AZ Adoption Attorney

The process of adopting is an experience overwhelmed with varying emotions. It can be so exciting to welcome a new family member, but at times, the legal process can feel challenging. Hiring a Glendale, AZ, adoption lawyer is the first step you can take toward bettering your adoption experience.

Having the guidance, experience, and compassion of an adoption lawyer means that you get to focus on the most important thing of all – preparing to welcome your new child into their forever home.

What Are the Requirements to Adopt in Arizona?

In the state of Arizona, adoption may be right for you if you meet the following criteria:

• You are old enough (21 years or older to foster and at least 18 years old to adopt).
• You own or are consistently renting a house or apartment.
• You are single, married, divorced, or widowed.
• You are lawfully present in the United States.
• You pass an FBI and local background check.
• You have a Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

If you are uncertain about any of these requirements, contact a local Glendale, AZ Adoption Attorney for guidance.

Open Versus Closed Adoption

When you are considering in-state adoption, it is very important to decide which type of adoption, closed or open, works for you and your family as well as the child. So, what do those labels mean?

Open Adoption: This kind of adoption allows for some level of information sharing and contact between the adoptive parent(s) and birth parent(s). This may include anything from exchanging periodic emails, letters, and/or pictures of the child to occasional phone calls or a visit every so often. There is not a one-size-fits-all approach to open adoptions, so it usually comes down to how much contact you want to agree to uphold between your adopted child and their birth parent(s).

Closed Adoption: This means that the adoption is closed, so there will be no contact of any kind with the birth parent(s). Neither party is informed of the name of the other, so everything is anonymous.

Some people think that this option is “safer,” and while there may be rare circumstances that make this true, current adoption laws in the state of Arizona make it easier to have an open adoption now than some may have perceived before. At the completion of the adoption process, the adopted family is recognized as the child’s legal family.

There are pros and cons to both open and closed adoptions, so it will ultimately come down to personal choice. Most adoptions nowadays are open, but you may still decide a closed adoption is your preference.

Other Types of Adoption

Adoption covers a wide variety of options. There are several different options available to you as you consider which would work for you and your family. There is no right or wrong way to go. Some of the other kinds of adoption available to you are as follows:

• Domestic adoption: this is when you adopt locally or within the country you are a resident of. It can include adopting relatives and strangers.
  • Independent or private: this refers to when you are planning to adopt directly through an intermediary or from an expectant parent. It can be a complex process, and therefore, it is an ideal candidate for hiring an adoption lawyer to help you.
  • Agency: agency adoptions happen through adoption agencies, which will help match you up with the expectant mother planning to put their child up for adoption.
• International adoption: This occurs when the child you adopt is from a different country than the one you currently reside in.
• Foster care adoption: This is when a child who has been placed in foster care becomes available for adoption. This is often considered the easiest option out of the three, but it can still be intense. You will definitely want a Glendale, AZ Adoption Lawyer or family lawyer working with you to navigate the various complexities that may arise during the legal adoption proceedings.

FAQs About Glendale, AZ Adoption Laws

Q: What Is the Average Cost of Adoption in Arizona?

A: The average cost of adoption in Arizona will include fees for adoption agencies, adoption attorneys, and any other professional services. While there is not a one-size-fits-all guarantee, the average can be tens of thousands of dollars. This is just an average, so it is possible that your adoption will vary outside of this specific cost window.

Q: What Will Disqualify You From Adopting a Child in Arizona?

A: In order to adopt a child in the state of Arizona, your record must be free of the following:

• Specific felony convictions, such as human or sex trafficking, assault, battery, and/or drug offenses
• Any authenticated accusations of domestic abuse, including sexual, physical, and emotional abuse and/or neglect

It is important to note that not all prospective parents with felony convictions will be dismissed, but it can be harder to adopt without a clean record.

Q: Can Any Lawyer Do an Adoption in Arizona?

A: It is highly recommended you hire a family lawyer or an adoption lawyer for your adoption case in Glendale, AZ. The adoption process can be overwhelming and complex, so having someone with a background in family and adoption law can lead to a smoother and more clarified experience. You will be freed up to focus on the personal side of adding a new family member while your adoption lawyer can spearhead the legal side.

Q: How Can I Adopt a Child in Arizona for Free?

A: In the state of Arizona, most contracted adoption licensing agencies charge an adoption fee. This fee, however, is reimbursed to you when an Arizona child from the US foster care system is placed into your home for adoption. This means that, ultimately, adopting a child from Arizona foster care ends up being free.

Contact Lazenby Law Firm Today

Choosing to expand your family through adoption is a big deal. It can be an exciting but also overwhelming process. Lazenby Law Firm is ready to offer you assistance as you move forward with the legal adoption process, celebrating with you and bringing clarity when needed. Contact us today for a consultation.