Knowledgeable Adoption Support Through Your Adoption
The State of Utah has created laws designed to make it easy for every adoption to take place only when all the conditions have been met and adjudged by a court of law. The state has set out the specific areas of law that we must meet for the adoption to take place legally. Whether adopting a minor or an adult, certain points must be met in order for us to move to a court of law and expect a judge to grant the adoption to take place as legal.
Adopting a Minor Child
The adoption of a minor child is not a simple task for us to help you complete, but when the interests of the child are being met there are steps we can take. The first step to take is to make sure you can adopt a child under the laws of the state. For example, the laws regarding adopting a child are different if you are the stepparent of that minor.
If you are not a stepparent, you must be sure you have the written consent of your spouse to adopt the child and present this to the court. Whether you are a step-parent or not, you must be able to show the court, through your paperwork that you are a U.S. Citizen or legally in the country and at least ten years older than the child being adopted.
Adopting a Stepchild
The waters of adoption law are murkier when it comes to adopting a stepchild who you have lived with for one year or more. The initial step we will take is asking for proof of the marriage between yourself and the custodial parent of the child you are hoping to adopt. And proof that you have lived together with the child for more than one year. In some cases, we can make an application to the court for the judge to wave the one-year residential limitation placed on adopting a stepchild. One of the factors that need to be considered is whether the stepparent hoping to complete the adoption has any felony convictions that are a disqualifying factor in the state.
Adopting an Adult
Although this is not common, it is still a court action that we can assist with. Again, the person being adopted must consent to the action taking place and be adopted by a person at least ten years older than themselves. Again the adoptee and the adopter should be U.S> citizens or in the nation legally with certain people notified to make sure the actions we take are completely legal.
The Steps to Take in a Utah Adoption
Whether you are a person who is about to be adopted or an adopter looking to make the process as smooth as possible, legal consultation is always a good starting point. After we have discussed your needs and the needs of the others involved in the case, we can move forward with preparing and filing the necessary paperwork. The paperwork should be filed in the county where the filer lives, or the adoptee was born and all those involved have been notified. Consent for the adoption needs to be sought when:
- Both parents of a minor child of born to a married couple
- The father if his parentage has been authenticated
- An adoption agency, if involved
The length of adoption proceedings can vary depending on whether any person chooses to object to the adoption. Adoption law states a stepparent can complete their adoption of a minor in one year or less with our help and those who are not a stepparent capable of completing the adoption process in around six months.
Experienced Adoption Attorney in Ogden, UT
At Kaufman, Nichols & Kaufman, we care about providing our clients with the best results in a cost-effective manner. Our firm understands how to secure successful adoptions and diligently work to ensure that your adoption is safe.
With office locations in the heart of downtown Ogden, we can discuss your adoption wherever is most convenient for your family. Call (801) 752-0499 or contact us online for the meticulous representation that you deserve.