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 to placement of a child in their home, hence it is called a pre placement report. You will want to start this process early if you are pursuing a full adoption.

POST PLACEMENT REPORT

Once the child has been placed in a home and in all step parent adoptions, a social worker does a Post Placement Report. This interview and report communicates to the court, the facts of the family, the level of understanding of adoption of the parties, the resources for this child, and the social worker’s recommendation. The filing of this report takes place before the adoption can be finalized and is reviewed by the court.

Please contact one of our experienced family law attorneys to discuss your possible adoption. You can call us at 425-255-4542. You can also look at our other adoption articles contained in our firm web page to learn about the adoption process.

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 parent is voluntarily giving up their parent/child relationship to that child. The Consent states that the parent is signing without pressure from another person, and with full knowledge of the legal impact of signing the document. For King County adoptions, King County Adoption Services also investigates to confirm with the consenting parent, that he or she has signed voluntarily.

INVOLUNTARY TERMINATION

A birth parent may refuse to sign a Consent in adoption to voluntarily terminate their parent/child relationship. When the adopting parents file a petition and the parent refuses to consent, a trial of the issues will be had in front of a Judge. The Judge may terminate a birth parent’s rights depending on facts of the case. Some of the facts the Judge will consider might include non-payment of financial support, no contact between parent and child, no phone calls from the parent, no written greetings or gifts or correspondence for about 2 years.

CONSENT OF A CHILD

A child 14 years or older is required to also consent to his adoption by the adoptive parents. If the “child” is actually an adult (18 years or older), he/she must consent.

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 of adoption attorneys for referral. However, the public agencies may no longer refer you to a proficient adoption attorney.

Our firm has been doing adoptions for 20 years, including DCFS adoption and DSHS adoption. We know the process and the costs. We know the ups and downs you have faced. We want to help you. The cost of your adoption is kept low by our firm, in honor of those adoptive parents who want to complete an adoption plan. Our fees may even be subsidized or reimbursed to you by DSHS. There are many special needs children who want to be adopted. We can do it. There are many adoptive parents who want to adopt through the DSHS adoption program, but they need an attorney to prepare the legal work and be at the adoption hearing with you. That’s what we are trained to do. This is the kind of joyous event we take pride and pleasure in. We would be honored to represent you in your DCFS or DSHS 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 birth parents as the child matures. Sometimes there is a formal written communication agreement that sets out the type and the frequency of the contact to be allowed. This communication agreement is enforceable under Washington law, but non-compliance of the contract agreement is not a reason to overturn the adoption. Having an open adoption may be a concern to the birth parents, and a condition to agreeing to the adoption.

Adoptions are important legal proceedings. The procedure of an adoptions must be meticulously followed to protect everyone’s legal rights and to make sure the process is enforceable.

Please contact one of our experienced family law attorneys to discuss the possibility of an open adoption. You can call us at 425-255-4542 or review the other articles about adoption here on our firm web page. Our office was established in 1942 and is available to assist you in your legal needs.

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 the birth certificate in place of the terminated birth parent (ex-spouse). This terminates the any future child support obligation of the parent whose rights are terminated.

ADOPTION OF A FOSTER CHILD

A public agency adoption (Washington State Division of Children and Family Services – DSHS) provides adoption services for children within the foster care system. A child may come into foster care because of neglect or abuse by a parent. The parent/child relationship between the birth parents and the child may be terminated by court order after a trial, if the birth parents are unable to adequately parent. Once this is done, the child will be free to be adopted.

Please contact one of our experienced family law attorneys to answer your questions about adoption. You can call us at 425-255-4542 or read other articles about adoption on our firm web page. We are willing to assist you with your legal needs.

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 an important, permanent decision. There are laws and local rules that must be complied with for the completion of an adoption. The different laws protect the child, the birth parents, and the adoptive parents. The process is a lifelong journey that will impact each of the parties individually. It is important to follow all of the legal procedures carefully so that the adoption if official.

INTERSTATE COMPACT

Prior to placement of a child across state lines, a formal agreement (Interstate Compact on Placement of Children “ICPC”) must be completed through the Interstate Compact Program Managers in each state.

LEGAL PROTECTIONS

There are special legal protections for a birth parent who is under age 18, in the military, a Native American, or an Alaskan Native. A Guardian ad litem and/or counseling for a birth parent who is a minor may be provided. If the birth parents or child are Native American or Alaskan Native, contact with the Tribe must be made. It is unlawful to buy or sell a child.

If you are interested in adoption, please contact one of our experienced family law attorneys. You can call us at 425-255-4542 or visit the other adoption related web pages. We are available to assist you with your legal needs.