New Jersey Adoption Lawyer
Our Law Firm Knows How The Adoption Process Works In New Jersey
Bringing a child into a family through adoption is an extraordinary act that creates a lifetime of legal and economic commitment. This is why it’s critical that every step throughout the adoption process is done exactly right.
Our experienced New Jersey adoption lawyers at Williams Law Group, LLC are ready to assist you through this process so that you can prepare for the new addition to your family. We know exactly what to do because we have been doing this work for years in New Jersey.
While the path to welcoming a new child can be stressful and complicated, our dedicated family law attorneys understand the state, national, and international laws that apply and could guide you through making important decisions during this process.
– C.B.
FAQ About Adoption In New Jersey
- How much does it cost to adopt a child in New Jersey?
- How hard is it to adopt a child in New Jersey?
- Do you get a monthly check when you adopt a child in New Jersey?
- What can disqualify you from adopting a child in New Jersey?
- What are reasons you can’t adopt in New Jersey?
- Can an adoption be reversed in New Jersey?
- Which courts in New Jersey handle adoptions?
- Why should I hire a New Jersey adoption lawyer?
Types of Adoptions in New Jersey
There are many kinds of adoptions, such as private, domestic or international, contested, or adoptions by foster parents, to name a few. Each type varies in how the system works and the rules that new parents must follow. A New Jersey adoption attorney can help a family through any of these adoption processes.
Private Adoption
During a private adoption, the biological and prospective adoptive parents can organize this arrangement with or without the help of an agency. Additionally, these adoptions can happen domestically or internationally. Because various state and international laws may apply to these adoptions, it is important to hire a lawyer in New Jersey who understands how this system works and who can assist in coordinating the documents and court filings necessary for this process.
Stepparent Adoption
Adoption of a child by a stepparent can become more complex if a court must terminate the parental rights of a biological parent first. If a child is born and does not have a second parent with rights, a stepparent can file for adoption within three months of their birth. This process can be more streamlined as it does not typically require a lengthy home study and investigation.
Grandparent or Relative Adoption
There are situations where grandparents or other relatives may already be caring for a child, and they want to adopt them formally. In this scenario, the court must first terminate the rights of the biological parents. This usually involves proof of “unfitness” if a parent abandons or abuses a child.
As in all adoptions, once finalized, the adoptive parents assume all responsibilities for the child, and the birth parents are no longer required to provide support. Birth parents cannot have contact with the child without the permission of the adoptive parents.
The Process for Adopting a Child
Most of these processes begin with extensive home studies. Because courts want to ensure that children grow up in a safe and healthy environment, prospective adoptive parents must undergo an investigation by the state or an approved agency, except in limited circumstances.
With the home study completed, prospective parents can apply for adoption. At the preliminary hearing, based on appropriate evidence, a court will terminate the parental rights of the biological parent or parents.
About six months after the preliminary hearing and termination of parental rights, the court will hold a hearing to make the adoption final. A New Jersey adoption lawyer can help prospective parents prepare for these adoption hearings and guide them through any challenges that may arise during the process.
Contact a New Jersey Adoption Attorney for Help
The adoption process can be complicated and stressful. Our New Jersey adoption lawyers understand how important each step of this journey can be and are here to support your hopes to grow your family. For more information on this exciting lifetime journey, contact us and schedule an appointment today. Our law firm has two New Jersey office locations conveniently located in Short Hills and Parsippany.
Williams Law Group, LLC – advocating for your legal rights, throughout your adoption process.
How much does it cost to adopt a child in New Jersey?
Many New Jersey adoptions often cost somewhere between $25,000 and $50,000. But don’t automatically assume that’s how much your adoption will cost. Fees and expenses vary widely depending on what type of adoption you pursue in New Jersey. This is why you should be wary of anyone who tells you how much it costs to adopt a child without knowing your particular circumstances.
How hard is it to adopt a child in New Jersey?
There’s no big difference in how hard it is to adopt a child in New Jersey compared to other states. Different challenges and situations can make adopting a child in New Jersey an easy or sometimes overly complicated legal process. Different factors that can make an adoption more complicated include where the child is being adopted from, the child’s age, your age and your financial situation. All of these factors – and many more – will be taken into account when adopting a child in New Jersey.
Do you get a monthly check when you adopt a child in New Jersey?
The short answer? Yes – in most cases. If you adopt a child in New Jersey through Child Protection and Permanency (CP&P), most parents who adopt a child receive a financial subsidy from the state, according to the State of New Jersey Department of Children and Families. Such financial subsidies often include:
- Monthly payment for clothing allowance and other everyday needs.
- One-time payment to pay for legal fees associated with adoption.
Other resources may also be available depending on the circumstances of your adoption, including post-adoptive counseling support services for adoptive families in New Jersey.
What can disqualify you from adopting a child in New Jersey?
Some of the issues that can disqualify a prospective parent from adopting a child include:
- Being convicted of certain criminal charges, including many misdemeanors and felonies, including child abuse, public indecency and stalking.
- Prospective parent must be at least 18 years old and at least 10 years older than child being adopted.
- Unstable financial situation, especially if a prospective parent does not have steady, regular employment.
In addition, in order to adopt a child in New Jersey, prospective parents must go through a background check conducted by the New Jersey Division of State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the State of New Jersey Department of Children and Families.
What are reasons you can’t adopt in New Jersey?
As briefly explained above, there are several reasons why you might not be able to adopt a child in New Jersey. Such reasons often include a criminal record with a history of violence, not meeting the state’s mandatory minimum age (18 years old) to adopt a child and financial instability. If you believe you should be eligible to adopt a child in New Jersey, our law firm can meet with you and
Can an adoption be reversed in New Jersey?
The short answer? Sometimes. However, it’s rare for an adoption to be reversed or overturned in New Jersey. Some of the reasons why an adoption might be overturned are if an adoptive parent or parents are found to be physically abusive and other specific circumstances. In addition, in certain circumstances, an adoption can be reversed at the request of the biological parents. But again, in general, such situations are rare in New Jersey.
Which courts in New Jersey handle adoptions?
An action for adoption (the formal legal term for the adoption process) in New Jersey must be initiated in a New Jersey Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part in the court which has jurisdiction over the adoptive parent. This means that a prospective adoptive parent must initiate the adoption process in the New Jersey Superior Court where the adoptive parent lives in most cases. Exceptions include if the child being adopted is less than three months old, in which case the adoption process should be initiated in the New Jersey Superior Court which has jurisdiction over the area where the child was born. Most courts in New Jersey are organized based on which county someone lives in the state.
Why should I hire a New Jersey adoption lawyer?
Adopting a child in New Jersey can be a confusing, complicated legal process. And if you make a mistake anywhere along the way – whether it’s filling out the mandatory adoption forms or appearing before a New Jersey Superior Court judge – your adoption application might be denied for any number of reasons. That’s why it’s always best to have an experienced New Jersey adoption attorney on your side, helping you through the entire legal process. Our highly skilled adoption lawyers have years of experience dealing with adoptions in New Jersey and can make sure you give yourself the best opportunity for success when seeking to adopt a child.