Skilled guidance through every step of the adoption process

Bringing a child into your family through adoption is truly joyous. However, getting there can be incredibly frustrating. The adoption attorneys at Jean M. Mahserjian, Esq., P.C. understand that every situation is unique. Our goal is to work collaboratively with you to help you realize your dream as smoothly as possible. When unavoidable problems arise, you can trust us to be there with you every step of the way, working to achieve your family goals.

The legal adoption process

The legal process for adopting a child depends on whether you use a public adoption agency or a private agency and international adoption. Independent adoptions are done through attorneys rather than agencies. In these situations, the prospective parent takes an active role in identifying the birth mother, usually by networking, advertising or using the internet.  The birth parents give their consent to adopt directly to the adoptive parents. Your attorney handles all legal documents, negotiates payments and represents you at the adoption court hearings. It is important that a knowledgeable family law attorney develops, and if necessary implements, a strategy in case the birth parent changes their mind about the independent adoption. In an agency adoption, the birth parents relinquish their parental rights to the agency, which in turn consents to your adoption. If you choose to work with the state, you choose an agency and then submit an application with information about your background, family composition, the number of people living in your home, and a description of the type of child you would like to adopt. The agency confirms with the New York State Child Abuse and Maltreatment Register that no one in your home has abused or mistreated a child. Criminal history checks are done on anyone in your home who is over 18 years old. The home study, a series of meetings, interviews and training sessions, takes place within four months of filing your adoption application. The caseworker’s summary of the home study is used by the agency in the placement process. You can add your own comments to the summary. The agency then matches you with a child. It can take six or more months from the time you apply to when the child is placed in your home and an additional three to 12 months for the adoption to be finalized in court. International adoptions are usually handled by private, nonprofit adoption agencies. You are asked to sign a contract with the agency which should be reviewed by your attorney before signing. The waiting time for inter-country adoption can be more predictable and shorter than for domestic adoptions. Whichever adoption process you choose, it is important that your adoption lawyer work with you to protect your parental rights and your child’s rights. At Jean M. Mahserjian, Esq., P.C., we take exhaustive care to ensure that all state, federal and international laws are properly followed so that your adoption is legal and binding.

For caring adoption advice in Albany, contact Jean M. Mahserjian, Esq., P.C.

You can count on Jean M. Mahserjian, Esq., P.C. for skilled advocacy as you build the family of your dreams. Call us at 518.383.1182 or contact us online to schedule an initial appointment at our Clifton Park office.