Each year, around 135,000 children are adopted in the United States, with foster children making up 59 percent, 26 percent adopted internationally, and 15 percent as newborns given up for adoption. Stepparent adoptions also account for a significant portion of these figures. If you’re planning to adopt a child and you’re not a stepparent, it’s essential to ensure that your legal rights are protected throughout the process.
The first step in protecting your rights is to hire an attorney experienced in domestic and international adoptions. Virginia law and, in some cases, the laws of the country from which you are adopting can be complex, so having an experienced attorney guide you through these legal requirements is crucial.
Understanding Adoption in Virginia
Virginia’s legal framework for adoption sets specific goals for ensuring the well-being of adopted children. Prospective parents need to understand some key terms defined by the courts:
- Adoption: Virginia law defines adoption as the legal method to establish the parent-child relationship between people who are not biologically related. The goal of adoption is to provide children, whose biological parents are unable to fulfill parental responsibilities, with a permanent, legally recognized family.
- Permanence: This term reflects the state’s commitment to creating lasting family bonds through adoption. A permanent adoption aims to ensure that no child grows up without a lifelong connection to a caring adult. It guarantees legal rights, social status, and the same family protections as a biological child would receive. Additionally, permanence fosters the child’s physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being.
What You Need to Know About Virginia’s Adoption Process
In Virginia, adoption is considered one of the main ways to provide a child with a stable, permanent family. The state emphasizes the importance of safety, stability, and long-term well-being in the adoption process. Here are a few key expectations:
- Legal Rights and Status: Adoption provides the same legal rights to the adopted child as a biological child. This includes inheritance, social status, and the responsibilities between parent and child.
- Family Connections: Virginia promotes the child’s connection to their cultural, ethnic, and family heritage, encouraging adoptive families to maintain relationships with the child’s siblings, relatives, and important family traditions.
Understanding these requirements is essential before you proceed with an adoption in Virginia. The process can involve thorough background checks, home studies, legal documentation, and, in some cases, navigating the complexities of international law.
Why You Need an Experienced Adoption Attorney
An experienced adoption attorney will help ensure that you comply with all state laws and court expectations. They can guide you through potential legal challenges, from the initial paperwork to finalizing the adoption in court. Whether you are adopting domestically or internationally, a skilled attorney will ensure that the adoption is legally binding and that your parental rights are fully protected.
Focusing on creating a stable and loving home for your new family member is essential—but so is ensuring that you are protected legally. Hiring an attorney can give you the peace of mind to focus on building your family, knowing that your legal rights and your child’s future are secure.
The experienced family law attorneys at the DiPietro Family Law Group have decades of experience handling all types of family law matters, including adoptions. We’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation at (888) 530-4374.