Grow Your Family with St. Joseph Adoption Services

Adoption is a wonderful way to grow your family. It is also a complex legal process that requires careful attention to detail. At Kranitz, Sadoun & Carpenter, our St. Joseph adoption lawyers are here to help you navigate the process. Our team can help you understand your rights and options and work to protect your interests throughout the process.

Call (816) 551-2482 or contact us online to request a consultation with our St. Joseph adoption attorneys.

What Is Adoption?

Adoption is the legal process by which a person or couple becomes the legal parent(s) of a child. Once an adoption is finalized, the adoptive parent(s) have all the same legal rights and responsibilities as biological parents. This means that the adoptive parent(s) can make decisions about the child’s upbringing, including where they live, what they eat, what religion they practice, and more. The adoptive parent(s) are also responsible for the child’s care and well-being, including providing for their financial needs.

There are several different types of adoptions, including:

• Stepparent Adoptions in St. Joseph: When a stepparent wants to adopt their spouse’s child, they must first terminate the other biological parent’s rights. This is not always necessary, such as when the other parent is deceased or has abandoned the child. In some cases, the other parent may voluntarily terminate their rights. In others, the court may terminate the other parent’s rights if it is in the child’s best interests.
• Relative Adoptions: Keeping Families Together: When a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or other relative wants to adopt a child, they must first terminate the biological parents’ rights. This is not always necessary, such as when the biological parents are deceased or have abandoned the child. In some cases, the biological parents may voluntarily terminate their rights. In others, the court may terminate the biological parents’ rights if it is in the child’s best interests.
• Private Adoptions: Personalized Adoption Journeys: In a private adoption, the birth parents and adoptive parents work together to place the child for adoption. The birth parents may choose the adoptive parents and may have an ongoing relationship with the child. Private adoptions can be more complex than other types of adoptions, as they often involve more parties and more legal issues.
• Agency Adoptions: Trusted Adoption Pathways: In an agency adoption, the birth parents work with an adoption agency to place the child for adoption. The agency then works to match the child with adoptive parents. Agency adoptions can be more straightforward than private adoptions, as the agency handles many of the legal issues.

Adoption is a permanent decision that cannot be undone. It is important to carefully consider your options and work with an experienced adoption attorney who can help you understand your rights and options. At Kranitz, Sadoun & Carpenter, we can help you navigate the process and work to protect your interests.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adopting a Child in St. Joseph

Adopting a child is a big decision that requires careful planning. The process can be complex and time-consuming, but it is also incredibly rewarding. At Kranitz, Sadoun & Carpenter, our St. Joseph adoption lawyers can help you understand your rights and options and work to protect your interests throughout the process.

Here are the basic steps to adopt a child in Missouri or Kansas:

1. Decide on the Best Adoption Path for You. Each type of adoption has its own requirements and legal issues. Our St. Joseph adoption attorneys can help you understand your options and determine the best way to proceed.
2. Selecting the Right Adoption Professional. If you are pursuing a private adoption, you will need to choose an adoption agency or attorney to help you navigate the process. If you are pursuing an agency adoption, you will need to choose an adoption agency to work with. Our St. Joseph adoption lawyers can help you understand your options and choose the right professional for your needs.
3. Preparing for a Home Study in Missouri and Kansas. A home study is a comprehensive evaluation of your home and family. It is designed to ensure that you are capable of providing a safe and loving home for a child. The home study process typically involves a series of interviews and a home visit. Our St. Joseph adoption attorneys can help you prepare for the home study and work to ensure that it goes smoothly.
4. Completing Adoption Paperwork Accurately. To adopt a child, you will need to complete a variety of paperwork. This may include an application, a financial statement, a medical history, and more. Our St. Joseph adoption lawyers can help you complete the necessary paperwork and ensure that it is filed correctly and on time.
5. Attending Pre-Placement Meetings. A pre-placement meeting is a meeting between the adoptive parents, the birth parents, and the adoption agency or attorney. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the adoption plan and ensure that everyone is on the same page. Our St. Joseph adoption attorneys can help you prepare for the meeting and work to protect your interests.
6. Finalizing Your Adoption in Court. Once the child is placed with you, you will need to complete the adoption process. This typically involves a series of court hearings. Our St. Joseph adoption lawyers can represent you in court and work to ensure that the adoption is finalized as quickly as possible.

Ready to Start Your Adoption Journey? Contact our St. Joseph adoption team at Kranitz, Sadoun & Carpenter, PC by calling (816) 551-2482 today!