Expanding your family is one of the most wonderful and fulfilling things that you can do. For some families, adding to the headcount may mean pursuing a legal adoption, either in-state, nationally, or even internationally. For these families, having experienced legal counsel on their side is critical, as adoption is a process that’s subject to numerous laws and technical processes. If you’re thinking about adoption or have questions about adoption laws in Massachusetts, family law attorney Heather M. Ward can help. Call today to learn more about your options and to get started.
Understanding the Adoption Process
Learning the basics about the adoption process in Massachusetts is the first place to start. Massachusetts is an agency state, which means that any prospective adoptive parents must work through a licensed agency in pursuing adoption. This is true whether you are seeking to adopt a child out of the foster care system or through a private adoption agency.
Also true regardless of the type of adoption you’re pursuing or the age of the child involved is that you will have to undergo a home study. This is a type of comprehensive family assessment that is conducted in order to determine whether or not your home and your family provide a suitable environment for a child to live. This will not only involve a visit to your home, but also interviews with you and your spouse/partner, as well as anyone else in the home.
Finally, it’s important to know that multiple parties must consent to the adoption before it can be finalized. This includes the child’s lawful parents (which may only be the mother if no establishment of parentage has been made for the child’s biological father) and the child themself if the child is over the age of 12.
Is a Lawyer Required When Adopting in Massachusetts?
Working with an attorney is not a legal requirement in Massachusetts, but it is strongly recommended. Having an attorney on your side can be protective for both you and the child that you’re hoping to adopt, and can be helpful with multiple different facets of the process, from terminating the existing parents’ parental rights to obtaining the approval of the judge and everything in between.
Call The Law Office of Heather M. Ward Today To Get Started
Adoption is a beautiful thing. If you are thinking about adoption or have already started the process of speaking with adoption agencies, you stand to benefit from the counsel of an experienced lawyer who has worked on adoption cases in the past and knows the ins and outs of the law. At The Law Office of Heather M. Ward, our skilled Massachusetts family law attorney is here to help you. To learn more, call Attorney Ward directly at (617) 903-8955 or send our office a message using the intake form on our website.