Utah Attorney Donald S. Reay has years of experience when it comes to family law and the problems and struggles that can arise. If you have any questions please contact Utah Attorney Donald S. Reay for a free consultation. Make sure you have an attorney with the experience and dedication you need.
There is no more rewarding part of family law then to bring together a loving family with a child who needs them!
Adoption is the process by which you become the legal parent of a child born to different birth parents. Utah law requires adopting families to go through an extensive process before an adoption can be finalized. Before adopting a child in Utah, it is important to consult with an attorney who can help guide you through the adoption process.
This process typically includes:
– investigation of the adopting person or family unit;
– termination of the birth parents’ parental rights;
– approval for having the child’s name changed.
Although the legal process of adoption can be confusing and difficult, the attorneys at Utah.Law have the experience to help make your adoption a success! Let the attorneys at Utah.Law provide the legal services necessary so that you can focus on your family’s future.
At Utah.Law, P.C., our family law attorneys handle adoptions in the following categories:
– Step-parent adoptions: “Blended” families are increasingly common in today’s society. Step-parent adoption typically require the noncustodial biological parent to terminate his or her parental rights. If you are a step-parent and you want to become the legal parent of your spouse’s child or children, we can help you through the process.
– Grandparent adoptions.
– Open adoptions: in open adoptions, the biological parents may remain in contact with the adoptive parents throughout the child’s life.
– Closed adoptions: In closed adoptions, the biological and adoptive parents do not know each other.
– Agency Adoptions.
– International Adoptions.
– Unmarried couple Adoptions
Understanding the Adoption Process and Termination of Parental Rights:
In order to adopt a child, the biological parents must first either voluntarily or involuntarily terminate their parental rights. The attorneys at Utah.Law, P.C. will help guide you through the process to ensure that the biological parents’ rights are terminated correctly and that you enjoy all the rights and obligations as legal parents of your adopted child!
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If the biological parents are unwilling to terminate their parental rights, the attorneys at Utah.Law, P.C. will help you show the Judge or a court why the biological parent’s rights should be terminated.
Birth Parents:
We understand that this is an emotionally complicated and physically trying time in your life.
You have many options before you and we can help you become confident and comfortable with the decision you make. From totally open adoptions, to semi-adoptions, to the traditional closed adoption, know that you have control over what happens from here.
Adoptive Parents:
Adopting a child is one of the most rewarding experiences you can experience. We want to help you make this process as smooth as possible and prevent any complications or confusion along the way.
Adoption vs. Custody:
Many parents are unable, or unwilling to care for their own children. When deciding between adoption or custody, clients should take into consideration whether they want a temporary or permanent solution for their own unique situation. When deciding, clients should consider the best interests of the child. Let us help you determine what’s best for you and the child for whom you’re concerned.
Adoption Finalizations (Contested):
In many adoption cases, biological parents will consent to the adoption of their child. However, when one disagrees it’s called a contested adoption. In this situation, adopting parents will need proof of the biological parents’ neglect, abuse, or abandonment and the absence of a significant relationship with the child. If biological parents are contesting your adoption, contact Utah Attorney Donald S. Reay for any legal advice or assistance you may need. Let us help you decide what your next step should be.
Adoption Finalizations (Uncontested):
When both biological parents agree to adoption it’s called uncontested adoption, and adopting parents obtain full legal responsibility for the children. We can provide the necessary guidance you need to complete this exciting process. If you’re looking to finalize an adoption, contact Utah Attorney Donald S. Reay for any legal advice or assistance you may need.
Department of Human Resources Adoption:
The Department of Human Resources leads to the adoption of children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned and are in the foster care system. In any adoption case it’s important that your rights are recognized and interests protected by an understanding professional. If you’re planning to adopt a foster child, contact Utah Attorney Donald S. Reay for any legal advice or assistance you may need.
Domestication of Foreign Adoption:
When a child is adopted in another country, many adoptive parents like to domesticate the adoption once they get to the United States (“readopt”). This step gives the child the ability to prove citizenship before the age of 18. If you would like to domesticate a foreign adoption, contact Utah Attorney Donald S. Reay for any legal advice or assistance you may need.
Grandparent Adoption:
When a parent can no longer take care of a child due to injury, sickness, or other unforeseeable troubles, grandparents are often called on to help rear the child. Before a grandparent can legally adopt a child, however, neglect of the parent must be proven. If you are a grandparent looking to adopt your grandchild, contact Utah Attorney Donald S. Reay for any legal advice or assistance you may need.
Non-Relative Adoption:
Non-relative adoption is when the adoptive parents are not biologically related to the child. This process has many steps and can become complicated and confusing without the guidance of a trained professional. If you’re planning on a non-relative adoption contact Utah Attorney Donald S. Reay for any legal advice or assistance you may need.
Relative Adoption:
Relative adoption is when a biological relative of the child becomes the adoptive parent. Typically both parents must give permission for the adoption to move forward, giving up all rights and responsibilities to the child. Similar to contested adoption, if parents do not give permission, the adoptive parents must find proof of neglect, abuse, or abandonment and the absence of a significant relationship for six months.
Stepparent Adoptions:
In many cases, stepparents may want to adopt the child of their spouse. However, before this can happen, expressed or implied consent must be obtained from the other biological parent. Expressed consent is given through consent documents and proper document filing. Implied consent is given through failure to maintain a significant relationship for six months. If you are considering adopting a stepchild, contact Utah Attorney Donald S. Reay for any legal advice or assistance you may need.
Surrogacy:
In some cases, parents are not able to conceive a child of their own and consider surrogacy as an option. In gestational surrogacy, the embryo is taken from the original mother and placed inside the surrogate to carry and deliver. However, in traditional surrogacy, the surrogate is artificially inseminated and the baby has a genetic bond to the surrogate mother. Many legal issues can arise, making the situation very complex.
If you are considering surrogacy and adoption, contact Utah Attorney Donald S. Reay for any legal advice or assistance you may need.
www.utahadoptionlawyer.com
If you have any questions please contact Utah Attorney Donald S. Reay for a Free Consultation.
Make sure you have an attorney with the experience and dedication you need.
Title 78B Judicial Code Ch 6 Particular Proceedings Part 1 Utah Adoption Act