Deciding to grow your family can be a very exciting and emotional time. The adoption process can be complicated and the laws regulating the process are governed by each individual state. It is important to understand the laws in Kansas specifically to ensure you are adequately prepared, or discuss the legal process that is required with a qualified Kansas adoption attorney. Although the process can be approached without the assistance of an attorney, many families find great benefit in seeking the counsel of an attorney to guide them through the process successfully. An adoption in Kansas does not require legal representation, however it may be beneficial to discuss your options with an attorney at the outset to assist you in approaching the process efficiently and correctly submit all necessary documents and provide proper notice to interested parties. Regardless of whether or not you seek counsel, the following are key things to consider prior to initiating the process.
Agency Adoptions vs. Private Adoptions in Kansas
When deciding what type of adoption to pursue in order to best suit your family’s wishes, both private independent adoption and agency adoptions are available, and both options will benefit from the services of an adoption attorney. Private and independent adoptions are popular options, and facilitate a direct placement between the birth mother and the adoptive parent. An agency adoption on the other hand, involves placement of the child with the adoptive parent through a public or private licensed third party child-placing agency. Either option requires that prospective adoptive families to conduct a home study facilitated through a licensed social or caseworker to evaluate the health of stability of the parents and the living environment.
The McDowell Chartered Legal Services team will help you schedule a home study with a qualified representative and advise you throughout the process to ensure your family experiences a successful adoption. From the outset, prior to filing necessary documents, scheduling a home study and ensuring the legality and security of your adoption, an experienced Kansas attorney will know the subjective and relevant laws in Kansas and is familiar with the requirements from beginning to end.
Filing a Petition and Obtaining an Adoption Decree
Regardless of the type of adoption you pursue, you must file a petition in the appropriate court in the required county, at the appropriate time. A qualified attorney will understand the issues that may arise prior to the birth of the child and help to prevent any obstacles or complications from occurring. Unforeseen concerns regarding parental consent, biological father’s rights or payment and financial issues may also arise during and after the pregnancy. An adoption attorney can prepare you for and accompany you to your scheduled court hearings after your adoption case has been filed. In Kansas, adoptive parents can expect to attend only one scheduled court hearing, which typically occurs within 60 days of the adoption case being filed. At the final adoption hearing your attorney will obtain a decree/judgment of adoption for you, finalizing the adoption of your child.
Contact a Kansas Adoption Attorney to Answer All of Your Adoption Questions Today
With over 40 years of adoption experience in Kansas, Attorney Tom McDowell has helped grow many families and looks forward to providing the same service for yours. He is familiar with the adoption process in Kansas and can therefore help you approach it efficiently and successfully. Call Kansas Adoption Attorney Tom McDowell at McDowell Chartered Legal Services today at (316) 633-4322 to properly file your adoption.