Adoption Attorney in Fayetteville

Learn How our Family Lawyer Can Help You in Cumberland County

The adoption process establishes a legal relationship between parents and a child who do not have a blood-related parent and child relationship. At Hedahl & Radtke Family Law Center, our Fayetteville, NC family lawyer has experience handling adoption cases in Cumberland County and throughout North Carolina.

Find out more about the legal challenges surrounding adoption by contacting our office today!

Understanding How Adoption Works

According to state laws, the court must schedule an adoption hearing within 90 days once you file the petition for adoption. If all required parties consent to the adoption, or have had their parental rights terminated, and your petition is unopposed a hearing may not be necessary. Our Fayetteville, NC family law attorney can talk with you to determine the circumstances of your case and help to gather evidence if a court hearing is required.

• In adoption hearings, the court must find that:
• The adoption is in the child’s best interests.
• The parents are suitable for the adoption.
• The adoption’s statutory procedural requirements have been fulfilled.

Once the adoption decree is entered the adoptee-child possesses the same legal rights as a biological child of the adoptive parents. The adoptee-child’s relationship with his or her biological parents, however, is ended, meaning that the biological parents lose all legal obligations and rights to the child. This does not, however, apply to the biological spouse in a stepparent adoption, which involves a stepparent seeking to adopt a stepson or stepdaughter.

The Adoption Process in North Carolina

The adoption process begins when you file a Petition for Adoption. Once you file, a notice must be sent to all relevant parties or their consent obtained. These parties can then either accept your petition or contest it, leading to a hearing.

• Required paperwork you need to file a Petition for Adoption may include:
• The consent to adoption by the biological parents.
• Your pre-placement assessment.
• An affidavit regarding any payments made concerning the adoption.
• A certified copy of the background information of the adoptee-child, including health history, genetic history, social history, and educational history.
• Any court order or pleading that specifies the adoptee-child’s visitation or custody.
• An affidavit from the adoptee-child’s biological mother containing the names, marital status, and address of the biological parents.
• Any order terminating the parental rights of a biological parent.

Whether you are seeking adoption through an agency or through a private adoption, the court will make a decision based on the best interests of the child. In North Carolina, specific laws must be followed regarding adoption, and our Fayetteville, NC family lawyer can explain the various factors and regulations regarding your case. From the initial filing of the petition to the court hearing, we can provide knowledgeable legal advice to help you make informed decisions.

Call us at (910) 684-3370 today to learn more about our family law services.