New Jersey Adoption Lawyers

Trusted Family Law Attorneys Help Clients Work Through Adoption Legal Issues in New Jersey

Millions of children around the world need a safe and secure home–with a loving family to protect them.  Part of protecting those children involves implementing a thorough process that all adoptive parents must satisfy before legally adopting a child.  That process can be emotional, confusing and even overwhelming at times.  A family law attorney can help you get through it.

Even if your adoption case seems to be proceeding smoothly, it never hurts to get the advice of an experienced lawyer.  At Team Law, our dedicated and compassionate family law attorneys have over 60 years of experience.  We can help you with the adoption proceedings, negotiate on your behalf, and represent you in court.

It’s normal to have questions if you’re considering adoption.  Even if you are well into the process and working with an adoption agency, getting the advice of an experienced adoption lawyer can help.  We can also help if you are handling an unplanned pregnancy and would like to explore adoption as an option.

We offer a confidential case review so that you can speak openly about your case while you get to know our lawyers and learn more about your legal rights and options. To schedule your consultation, call our office or contact our New Jersey adoption lawyers by using this online contact form.

Types of Adoption Cases We Handle

Team Law is here to help you through the adoption process regardless of the types of challenges you might be facing.  Our law firm can help with:

• Open adoptions
• Private adoptions
• Adopting a step-child or family member
• LGBTQ adoptions
• Single-parent adoption
• Contested adoptions
• International adoptions
• Adopting a grandchild
• Adopting a foster child

As many adoptive parents know, any number of hurdles can arise along the path to legally adopting a child.  Having an experienced lawyer by your side can give you the confidence you need to know that your case is being handled by someone who understands the system.

At Team Law, our family attorneys are here to help you through every aspect of the New Jersey adoption process.  To learn more about what to expect and how we can help, call us today.

Understanding the Home Study Process in New Jersey

To legally adopt a child in New Jersey, you must complete a home investigation process where the adoption agency conducts a thorough investigation.  The “home study” generally involves:

• An interview process
• A criminal background check of the adoptive parents (and potentially any other adults living in the household)
• Medical assessments
• Income verification
• Contacting references 
• Employment verification

Prospective parents will quickly learn that the adoption process requires substantial paperwork and legal documentation.  Affidavits, legal consents and court documents must all be completed before you can formally adopt a child.  After the home study is complete, there is usually a court hearing to terminate parental rights.

Even after the home study has been approved and the biological parents have given up their rights, adoptive parents usually have to wait about six months to appear for the final adoption hearing in court.

The entire process is designed to protect both the child and the parents.  It can, however, be emotionally draining.  You might run into roadblocks along the way.  We can help with any challenges and do the legwork necessary so that you can legally expand your family.

New Jersey Adoption Law Imposes Strict Procedural Requirements

Private adoptions are the most common type of adoption.  Whether you are working with an adoption agency or not, a private adoption involves a situation where the birth parents give up their parental rights and adoptive parents gain those parental rights.

While that might sound simple, it rarely is.  Learning the basics of what to expect from the New Jersey adoption process is important for all adoptive parents.  The basic procedure involves:

• Finding the child you want to adopt
• Completing the home study to the state’s satisfaction
• Filing a “Complaint for Adoption” with the New Jersey courts
• Attending at least one court hearing–in some cases, multiple hearings may be needed
• Obtaining the certified copy of legal adoption papers from the court
• Amending the child’s birth certificate to list you as the adoptive parents

The details vary depending upon whether an agency is involved.  Often, the birth parents will give up their parental rights and transfer them to the adoption agency.  It is then up to the agency to screen prospective parents.

In a private placement adoption, an agency is still involved, but the birth parents agree to transfer the child directly to the adoptive parents.  

Contact Our Trusted New Jersey Adoption Lawyers for a Confidential Consultation Today

At Team Law, our experienced family lawyers know the joy that adoption can bring to a family.  We also know that despite countless stories of loss you may have heard, adoption can work.  

Our team is here to handle the procedural aspects of the adoption, including negotiating any fees or payments to a birth parent that may be involved.  We can also help you work through any challenges that arise along the way.

To learn more about how we can help, schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced New Jersey adoption lawyer at Team Law today.

Frequently Asked Questions About the New Jersey Adoption Process