An adoption consists of terminating parental rights (of a natural parent) and establishing new parental rights (of the adopting parent). There are two main types of adoptions, full adoptions (where both parents are replaced) and step-parent adoptions (where only one parent is replaced). The articles written below are offered to give you general background information that may be helpful to you. If you are considering an adoption and need further assistance, please contact us by phone or email.Family Law: Adoption in Washington HISTORY Adoption in Washington has historically served parents seeking infant placement. Currently, any person is considered adoptable, whether he or she is an infant, older child, adult, child with special needs, or part of a sibling group. Adopting parents may be married or single. PROCESS The decision to adopt is […]
Adoption Placement Report
Family Law: Adoption Placement Report Adoption is an important legal proceeding that must be followed in detail for everyone’s protection. PRE PLACEMENT REPORT Before a family can “advertise” for a child, the adopting family must have an approved Pre Placement Report prepared by a social worker. This report must be filed with the court prior […]
Consent in Adoption
CONSENT IN ADOPTION A birth parent’s rights to their child may be terminated voluntarily by the parent signing a Consent. A Consent in adoption is a legal document signed by a birth parent in front of a Notary Public and in front of a Witness. The Consent document identifies the child and indicates that the […]
DSHS Adoption
Are you looking for an experienced attorney to do a DCFS or DSHS (public agency) adoption for you? Washington State Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) or Division of Social and Health Service (DSHS) are the local public agencies involved in Foster Care services. In previous years, DCFS or DSHS could maintain a listing […]
Open Adoption
Family Law: Open Adoption in Washington An open adoption in Washington is an adoption that allows for ongoing contact between the birth parents and the child after the adoption has been finalized by the courts. Or it may just allow for the transfer of information about the child (letters, pictures, etc.) to be shared with […]
Step Parent Adoption
STEP PARENT ADOPTION A step parent adoption is an adoption when only one birth parent relinquishes or terminates his/her rights to the child. Then, by adoption, the other birth parent’s new husband or wife may adopt their step child. When the adoption is finalized, the new spouse of the custodial birth parent is put on […]