Adoption Lawyer in Miami, FL

Adopting a child is often a very joyful event, but it can also be very stressful. At Miami Family Law Group, PLLC, we’re committed to helping you every step of the way.
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What You Should Know About Adoption in Florida

If you’re considering adoption, you’re probably filled with a wide range of emotions — joy, excitement, and love, along with challenging emotions like stress or confusion. Working with a qualified adoption attorney is an excellent way to navigate this process seamlessly and professionally.

Adoption is a legal process that creates a parent-child relationship, and this process can be drawn-out and complicated. In Florida, an adult individual or adult spouses can be eligible to adopt in Florida if they pass several steps for approval.

Adoptive parents must go through a lengthy set of screenings and mandatory trainings to be deemed ready and fit for adoption. Additionally, adoption requires legal paperwork and processes many adoptive parents find complicated and confusing.

Working with an experienced family law attorney is essential to navigating this process effectively. Contact Miami Family Law Group, PLLC to schedule a strategy session.

Types of Adoption

There are four main types of adoption in Florida. The primary type many people pursue is entity adoption. The other three types usually involve special circumstances involving existing relationships, and they typically require shorter legal processes and proceed more smoothly than entity adoption.

Here are the four types of adoption:

  • Entity adoption (adoption through an agency or facilitated by an attorney)
  • Step-parent adoption
  • Close relative adoption
  • Adult adoption

What Are the Adoption Procedures in Florida?

The Florida courts require adults looking to adopt to go through extensive procedures to ensure their eligibility and preparedness to be parents.

First, adopters must attend a two-hour presentation followed by an in-depth training course. This course assesses the adopters’ skills and informs them about issues and procedures in the adoption process.

Next, the adopter must undergo a home study and multiple background checks to ensure that they can provide a stable, safe home for the adoptee. The home study phase is very in-depth, and it includes not only submission of personal and professional references, but  inquiries into finances, motivations for adopting, parenting strategy, and related issues. After gaining approval, someone who has completed these steps can begin searching for an adoptive child.

If a parent willingly gives up their child for adoption, they have a period ranging between 48 and 72 hours after signing the adoption paperwork to change their mind, depending on the child’s age. They must give consent in front of a notary. After this waiting period, the only way to overturn the adoption is if a judge finds that the biological parent signed the consent under duress or fraud.

Who May Adopt or Be Adopted?

Any unmarried adult may adopt in Florida. If a married person wants to adopt, their spouse must also join in the decision and adoption process unless the spouse is the biological parent or they receive an exemption. A Florida resident must have lived in Florida for at least 90 days before they can complete an adoption in the state.

Additionally, any person, including both minors and adults, are eligible for adoption. However, adoption is much more common amongst minors. In Florida, children 12 years and older are required to give their consent before proceeding with an adoption.

Florida protects the rights of gay and lesbian individuals and physically disabled people to adopt.

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Why Choose Miami Family Law Group?

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Legal concerns with family can cause intense stress and have far-reaching effects. This can be especially true when children are involved. You also have a lot of financial interests in a family law case, so you must partner with the right attorney. The team at Miami Family Law Group, PLLC is the right choice for these reasons:

  • We understand family. Miami Family Law Group, PLLC offers our clients a family-friendly environment. We understand how delicate legal issues are with spouses, partners, and children.
  • We speak Spanish. Language barriers shouldn’t be a problem when you work with our firm. We speak Spanish and can understand your personal concerns.
  • We have the experience and skills. Family law is not something anyone should take lightly. Our attorneys have been practicing law for more than 20 years. We understand the critical aspects of family law and the essential steps with each case.

How Long Does an Adoption Take?

The exact length of time your adoption will take depends on numerous factors. Adoption processes can take anywhere from a few months to several years, depending on the complexity of the case.

The court system must be very thorough when allowing individuals to adopt and be placed for adoption. A child’s biological parents have initial rights unless they either waive them and voluntarily place a child up for adoption, pass away, or become unfit to care for a child.

While you should expect your adoption process to take at least several months, working with a Florida adoption attorney can streamline the process. Your attorney can help you complete all of the necessary steps and work efficiently to finalize your adoption.

How Can an Adoption Lawyer Help?

If you’re considering an adoption, working with an adoption attorney is essential.

Your adoption lawyer can provide a range of services, such as:

  • Find an adoption agency
  • Prepare paperwork on your behalf
  • Attend court appearances
  • Ensure that you meet contractual obligations
  • Communicate with adoption agencies on your behalf
  • Provide legal guidance and support
  • Handle legal disputes if they arise
  • Help to legally facilitate an adoption

Our team at Miami Family Law Group, PLLC is ready to help you through your adoption process. Schedule a strategy session today to learn more and prepare to take the next steps.

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Are you ready to schedule your strategy session? Complete our online form and we will get in touch with you right away.

Ask a Question,
Describe Your Situation,
Request a Consultation

Call (305) 701-2901 or fill out the short form below. We will usually respond within 1 business day but often do so the same day. Don’t hesitate, your questions are welcome.

Main Contact Form

* Required Fields

Your Information Is Safe With Us

We respect your privacy. The information you provide will be used to answer your question or to schedule an appointment if requested.

Real Clients, Real Testimonials

  • Honest very Fair Reasonable Compassionate will not run your bills please give her a chance she has represented me for 5 Yrs just a good person she won all for me more than that she is very helpful. Just a example It took 5 yrs my Ex was Very Angry Sadly she found a Attorney who promised here everything she wanted just lies after lies he was a very Cruel Human being just drained her she spent over 250k and ended up receiving 225k as Equity Distribution
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    I had good friends and family who helped my Attorney I owed her over 50k which was very Noble of her Emily Philips to Trust me and I did pay her but she didn't have to do very few Attorneys will do that .
    So Consult with Emily Philips before u decide on a Representation..
    Shalom

    - Denis Thali

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  • Ms. Phillips is an extremely empathetic and professional Lawyer. She handled our Petition of Guardianship, and 2 Last Will and Testaments, in a very swift and detailed manner. Upon my Father's passi g on, she reached out to our family, offering her condolences. She has clients for Life in myself and my family!

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  • The most effective, intelligent and caring divorce lawyer in Miami.

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The experienced attorneys and staff at Miami Family Law Group, PLLC are here to serve you Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. We understand that divorce is not a decision anyone takes lightly and want to help you move through the process as painlessly as possible. Call us at (305) 701-2901 to discuss your case. If you contact us outside of business hours, we will respond to you when our office opens the following day. We’re here for you because family matters.

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