Ventura Attorney for a Private Adoption in California

Adopting a child should be a rewarding and incredible experience. However, for prospective parents, going through this process can be complicated, confusing, and stressful. The good news is you don’t have to feel overwhelmed by this process. Our Ventura private adoption attorneys can help. With decades of hands-on experience, we can guide you through the entire private adoption process.

To learn more about your specific situation in a free, confidential consultation, call The Law Offices of Bamieh and De Smeth, PLC, today at (805) 643-5555.

What is a Private Adoption?

Some couples may want to bring another child into their family through adoption. Adoption is a process in which the adoptive parents assume all the rights and privileges over the adoptee. Furthermore, the adoptee’s biological parents relinquish all their rights over their child. It is critical to understand that a person cannot enjoy two different identities. This means a child can carry the last name of their adoptive parents. They cannot add the last name of their biological parents.

Adoptive parents in California can choose between two types of adoptions. These are known as private adoptions and agency adoptions. Through an agency adoption, the adoption process is made through an agency. In these adoptions, the biological parents of the adoptee must sign a document stating they relinquish their parental rights over the adoptee. In an independent or private adoption, the adoption process is made without the intervention of an adoption agency. Unlike agency adoptions, where parents relinquish their parental rights from the beginning, in private adoptions, the biological parents retain their rights over the child until the process ends.

The Private Adoption Process in Ventura, California

The private adoption process consists of different steps all prospective adoptive parents have to complete. Some of the private adoption steps are discussed below.

Planning

Choosing a private adoption requires careful planning. After all, you would be getting ready for introducing a child into your lives. This is not a process to be taken lightly. Therefore, you should make time to plan and strategize appropriately. For instance, one of the requirements in private adoptions and adoptions in general in California is adoptive parents must be at least ten years older than the adoptee. Furthermore, prospective parents will need to go through law-mandated processes such as a home study, which includes a criminal background check and other studies. We discuss the home study process below.

Going Through a Home Study Process

All prospective parents are required by law to go through home study. This is a critical step in your private adoption process. Through home study, prospective parents are evaluated to determine whether they are fit to take a baby into their lives. A social worker performs the evaluation process in a home study. Among other things, you will need to choose a home study service provider. As you go through the process, you will be asked to go through background checks. This means you will be required to submit your fingerprints and proof of your criminal record. This information will be taken into account to determine you can be an adoptive parent.

Part of your home study may require you to receive visits from your social worker to assess your home and determine it is a safe place for the prospective adoptee. Make sure to submit all essential documents and provide accurate, complete information to avoid unnecessary delays or problems down the road.

Consult with an Attorney

Private adoptions may seem straightforward and reasonably easy. However, these processes can take several months – or years – and can be incredibly complex. This is especially true for people who have never been part of a private adoption process before. An adoption lawyer can help you understand how the process works and how to successfully complete it.

Additionally, an adoption attorney can prepare you for any and every possible hearing you may face. Flying in blind during a private adoption can hurt the process and unnecessarily delay it. Talking to a lawyer can help you expedite the adoption process. This way, you can have peace of mind knowing your adoptive child will be in your family as soon as possible. Our Ventura private adoption lawyers can help you understand your rights and learn how the complete adoption process works.

These are not the only things you should worry about when filing a private adoption request. However, they can give you a rough idea of what to expect. It is always wise to consult with an experienced, skilled lawyer who can walk you through the entire process.

Ventura, CA Private Adoption Attorneys Offering Free Consultations

If you or someone you know is considering adopting a child, our Ventura adoption attorneys can help. At The Law Offices of Bamieh and De Smeth, PLC, we have extensive experience handling private adoption cases in California. Thanks to our dedication, commitment, and hard work, we are able to provide nothing but high-quality legal counseling to all of our clients. Make sure to be represented by a knowledgeable, skilled attorney during your private adoption process. To learn more about your case in a free, confidential consultation, call our law offices today at (805) 643-5555.