Adoption and guardianship create or formalize family bonds. Whether you're adopting a child or seeking guardianship of a loved one, understand the legal process.
Expert information to help you understand your rights and options
Adoption creates permanent legal parent-child relationships through court proceedings that establish adoptive parents as children legal parents. Understanding the process helps prospective parents navigate this emotional journey. Learn about adoption requirements, types, and what to expect.
Guardianship provides temporary legal authority over children while adoption creates permanent parent-child relationships. The choice depends on circumstances, permanency goals, and biological parent situations. Understand the differences and choosing the right option.
Home studies evaluate prospective adoptive parents fitness through interviews, background checks, home inspections, and references. While intrusive-feeling, home studies protect children and prepare families. Learn what home studies involve and preparing for success.
The adoption process involves applications, home studies, matching, placement, and finalization proceedings. Timelines vary significantly by adoption type—from months to years. Understand what happens at each stage and preparing for the journey.
Open adoptions allow ongoing contact between birth and adoptive families, while closed adoptions seal records and prevent contact. Most modern adoptions fall somewhere on the openness spectrum. Learn about adoption openness levels and what works for families.
Stepparent adoption creates legal parent-child relationships between stepparents and stepchildren, typically requiring termination of the other biological parent rights. The process is usually simpler than other adoptions. Learn about stepparent adoption requirements and procedures.
Adoption pathways include private domestic adoption, international adoption, foster care adoption, and agency facilitated placements. Each has different processes, costs, and timelines. Learn about adoption types and finding the right path for your family.