Franklin Adoption Attorney
Raising a child is a huge responsibility. That’s why the state of Tennessee doesn’t take this task lightly. For those who want to adopt, the process can be daunting. The process may take roughly a year and there are certain requirements involved.
For example, you’ll want to keep in mind that the Department of Children’s Services does not recruit adopt-only homes. The majority of children who are adopted from foster care are adopted by the families who were their foster parents.
Therefore, if you want to adopt, you’ll need to first sign up to become a foster parent. Then, if a child becomes available for adoption, the family caring for that child will have the first pick for adoption. This is because the child already has a relationship with their potential adoptive parents and can provide them with the comfort and love they so desire.
But that is not the only way to adopt. You can also adopt a child as a family member or stepparent. Contact the Franklin adoption attorneys of Beal | Crutcher to learn more about the processes involved.
How to Adopt a Child Under State Guardianship
To become an adoptive parent in Tennessee, you do need to meet some requirements:
- You must be at least 21 years old.
- You must be a resident of the State of Tennessee.
- You must be able to meet the financial and emotional needs of your own family.
Marital status does not matter. You can be single, married, or divorced. You can have other children in the household. It doesn’t matter if you rent or own your home. You can work part-time or full-time. Essentially, if you have a stable home and are willing and able to provide a child with the love and support, you may be a candidate to become an adoptive parent.
The first step is to get a formal home study by a licensed child placing agency. The final written home study will include information about your family, medical and financial statements, verifications, and references.
Once you have agreed to parent a child, you will then receive Tennessee KEY training. This is an education and self-assessment process that explores communication styles and helps identify family strengths.
Stepparent and Relative Adoptions
Under relative adoption, the relative can be the child’s grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts or uncles, great aunts or uncles, a stepparent, cousins, or siblings. If you are a stepparent, you can only adopt if your stepchild’s other legal parent has terminated their parental rights.
In these adoptions, some steps are waived. No home study is required and there is often no waiting period. The main priority is that the relative can care for the child until adulthood.
Contact Us Today
Is adoption in your heart? Are you ready to adopt a child of your own? Or are you simply wanting to adopt as a stepparent? Whatever your desires, make sure you follow the proper procedures.
Let the law firm of Beal | Crutcher guide you through the adoption process. We can help you understand the various requirements. To schedule a consultation, call our office today at (615) 861-2304.
