ADOPTION OF MINORS

In North Carolina, as in many states, the process of adoption is complicated and can be lengthy. Having an experienced attorney to guide you through the process is imperative to ensure that the adoption is granted and is final. The lawyers at NicholsonPham has successfully handled hundreds of adoptions. Two of our attorneys, Sharon Thompson and Meredith Nicholson, are members of the American Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys, a national organization of select attorneys who have proven their expertise in the complexities of state adoption laws, as well as interstate and international adoption laws and regulations.

To adopt someone who is under the age of 18, you’ll need some or all of the following things:

1. The consent of the minor child’s birth and/or legal mother
2. The consent of the minor child’s birth and/or legal father
3. A preplacement assessment or “home study” that shows that your family is appropriate to adopt a child
4. Information about the biological mother and father of the child
5. A postplacement assessment or “report to the court” that shows that the child is doing well in your home and that the adoption is in the “best interest” of the child.

If you can’t find the birth/legal parent in order to get the consent, you’ll need the expertise of an attorney to help you. If they cannot be located to get their consent, we may be able to publish a notice in the local newspaper.

Sometimes, the consent of a birth father isn’t required. However, that is a determination which is made by the Clerk of Court or a judge.  In other situations, it may be necessary to terminate the Parental Rights of a birth/legal father or mother. NicholsonPham has experience in these type of District Court proceedings and we can advise you whether a TPR petition will be necessary before you can adopt a child.

Our lawyers work with the facts of your particular case to determine the best way to move forward.