Colorado Adoption Lawyers
Begin the Adoption Journey with Confidence
At Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin, P.C., we believe adoption is about much more than just legal paperwork—it's about creating families and fulfilling dreams. Our experienced legal team will guide you through the adoption process and other related family law matters with compassion and expertise. Whether you're navigating contested or non-contested adoption proceedings, we're here to provide the support and legal assistance you need every step of the way. Let us help you bring your family's dreams to life.
Exploring Your Adoption Options: Our Specialized Legal Services
Our Colorado adoption attorneys can assist with a wide range of adoption cases, including:
Adoption by a step-parent
If you are a spouse who wishes to adopt your partner's child, our legal team is here to support you every step of the way. We'll ensure all necessary steps are taken to terminate the biological parent's rights and support obligations, making the adoption process as smooth as possible for you and your family. From handling the legal paperwork to obtaining a new birth certificate naming you as the child's legal parent, we'll be by your side to ensure your adoption journey is as stress-free as possible.
Adoption by a relative
If you are a close relative considering adopting a minor, our legal experts can provide the guidance and support you need. We'll help you overcome the complexities of kinship adoption, ensuring eligibility and assisting in meeting state requirements. We offer support in establishing physical custody of the child for the required duration.
Custodial adoption
For individuals who have provided physical custody to a child for over one year, our legal firm offers comprehensive assistance with custodial adoption. We'll guide you through the legal process of establishing legal custody, whether through domestic relations, probate, or juvenile cases. Our experienced attorneys work diligently to meet all requirements, ensuring a swift and favorable outcome.
Adoption of a partner’s child
Our legal team specializes in second-parent adoption, providing invaluable support to parents in same-sex relationships who wish to adopt their partner's child. We'll navigate the intricacies of second-parent adoption laws, ensuring that all legal requirements are met for the adopting parent to become a legal parent of the child. Unlike stepparent adoption laws, which mandate marriage between the parents, our firm assists clients regardless of marital status, empowering them to establish legal parentage and parental rights.
Understanding the Adoption Process
In all adoption cases, the adoptive child must be "legally available for adoption." This typically involves one of two scenarios: either a court has terminated the parent-child legal relationship of one parent, or a court has approved the voluntary relinquishment of the parent-child legal relationship. Often, this termination occurs as part of the adoption case.
The parent-child relationship of a parent can be terminated without their consent under specific circumstances. This includes but is not limited to instances where the parent has failed, without cause, to provide reasonable support for the child for one year or more or has abandoned the child by not maintaining reasonable contact for one year or more.
For Adoption Guidance, Turn to Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin, P.C
Navigating the adoption process in Colorado can be complex—especially in cases where the whereabouts or identity of a biological parent are unknown or when parental consent is not easily obtained. Despite these challenges, our experienced family law attorneys can help transform your adoption journey into the positive and fulfilling experience it should be.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the adoption process typically take?
Adoption timelines vary with the type of adoption, the case's complexity, the availability of required documentation, court scheduling, and other factors. While some adoptions may be finalized relatively quickly, others may take several months or even longer. Our team is committed to working diligently to expedite the process, providing you with a clear timeline and regular updates from start to finish.
What are the eligibility criteria for adopting a child?
This depends on jurisdictional laws, the type of adoption, and the specific requirements of adoption agencies or authorities involved. These criteria often include factors such as age, marital status, financial stability, and the ability to provide a safe and nurturing environment for the child. Our experienced attorneys will carefully assess your unique situation and provide detailed information on the eligibility criteria relevant to your case.
What are the potential legal challenges we might face during the adoption process?
Some challenges could include obtaining parental consent, addressing birth parent rights, navigating adoption laws and regulations, dealing with contested adoptions, and ensuring compliance with court procedures and requirements. Rest assured, our experienced attorneys have encountered and successfully resolved a wide range of adoption-related legal challenges over the years.
Are there any age restrictions for prospective adoptive parents?
That varies, depending on the type of adoption and the adoption agency or jurisdiction involved. While some agencies may have specific age requirements, others may focus more on the prospective parent's ability to provide a stable and nurturing environment for the child. Generally, prospective adoptive parents should be at least 18 years old, but there may also be upper age limits.
What rights do birth parents have during the adoption process?
Birth parents typically have the right to provide or withhold consent to the adoption, the right to receive counseling and support services, and the right to participate in the selection of adoptive parents in some cases. Birth parents may also have the right to maintain contact with the child through open adoption arrangements, depending on the preferences of all parties involved and the laws governing adoption in the relevant jurisdiction.
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