An adoption is a specific legal procedure initiated by one or more individuals to assume all the legal benefits and burdens of parenthood. A person may be legally adopted at any age, though most adoptions are of person who are under the age of majority (under 18 years old). In the case of all adoptions, the court will appoint a guardian ad litem who will perform a pre placement report about your home, and whether it is a fit home for the minor child. One of the most common adoptions is that of a step parent over their step child. Typically, with a step parent adoption, the consent of both natural parents must be obtained. The guardian ad litem and the court will perform an extensive background check, of the adopting parent, including a background check through the records of Child Protective Services and a Washington State Patrol background check, as well as inquiry into your finances. A further investigation will be performed into the natural parents of the person subject to adoption. Generally, a parent will either consent to an adoption, or in some cases, the parent's rights to the child have been terminated by the State. There are certain time periods which must pass in the case of a parent giving consent to adoption before the adoption will be finalized by the court.
The legal ramifications of adoption are extensive and far reaching. Once a person is adopted, you become legally responsible for that person, which means that you are financially and physically responsible for that person's well being. Your name is replaced on the birth certificate as the parent of that person. That person will inherit through you and you will inherit through them as though they were born to you. The person will no longer inherit through their natural born parents. The child has all of the rights and benefits of a biological child.
Tsai Law Company, PLLC
2101 4th Avenue Suite 1560
Seattle, WA 98121
1-425-DIVORCE (348-6723)
Email:
adoption@TLClawco.com
Call a Washington TLC attorney to discuss the specific facts regarding an adoption proceeding if this is applicable to you. Please visit our home page for additional information about our Seattle Adoption Lawyers and Family Law Attorneys.
