Adoption
Adoption creates a permanent legal parent-child relationship, granting adoptive parents full parental rights and responsibilities while providing children with a stable, loving home.
At Sasso Guerrero & Henderlite, our family law attorneys guide clients through every type of adoption, from straightforward step-parent adoptions to complex agency and interstate placements. We help clients navigate Florida’s legal requirements and work toward a finalized, legally secure adoption.
What this service includes
- Step-parent and relative adoptions
- Agency and private adoptions
- Interstate adoptions under the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC)
- Termination of parental rights proceedings
- Adult adoptions
- Adoption of children with special needs
- Home study coordination and compliance
- Consent and relinquishment documentation
- Contested adoption proceedings
- Post-adoption legal matters, including amended birth certificates
Our process
- Case analysis: Review the family’s situation and the type of adoption being pursued to assess the case specifics.
- Legal filings: The adoption process begins with a petition for adoption filed with the court, along with required consents or terminations of parental rights.
- Home study and compliance: For most adoptions, a home study is completed to confirm the placement is safe and suitable for the child.
- Finalization hearing: The court holds a finalization hearing to review the case and approve the adoption.
- Final documentation: Finalize and provide clients with all necessary legal documents confirming the adoption, including an amended birth certificate.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an adoption take?
Timelines vary depending on the type of adoption. A step-parent adoption can sometimes be finalized within a few months, while agency or interstate adoptions may take a year or longer.
Do both biological parents need to consent to an adoption?
Generally, yes, unless parental rights have been terminated or a parent’s consent is legally excused, such as through abandonment.
What is a home study, and is it always required?
A home study is an assessment of the adoptive home’s safety and suitability. It’s required for most adoptions but is often waived for step-parent and close relative adoptions.
Can an adopted child’s birth certificate be changed?
Yes. Once an adoption is finalized, Florida issues an amended birth certificate listing the adoptive parents.
Will I have to go to court?
Yes. All adoptions require a finalization hearing before a judge, though most uncontested adoptions are brief and straightforward.