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Adoption

Adoption Law in Cherry Hill, Philadelphia, Princeton, & the Greater Philadelphia Area

Building your family is a goal many individuals and couples aspire to achieve. Whether you do so by adoption, surrogacy or ART, growing your family can be an exceptionally rewarding process – but it can also feel overwhelming and you may not know where to start. There are many rules, regulations, laws to follow, profiles to complete, tough questions to think about and court hearings to attend, and you may not know who to reach out to or trust. All the more reason it is highly recommended to hire an experienced adoption lawyer when building your family. Here’s what you can expect from a great adoption attorney.

Do you need a lawyer for an adoption?

You can adopt a child and build your family without an attorney but it is highly recommended to hire an adoption attorney when adopting a new member into your family. Adopting a child is life-changing so you want to make sure you are completing every step of the process correctly. An adoption lawyer will be there to help from the beginning to the very last step. An adoption lawyer can help you select an adoption agency, maximize your outreach for prospective matches, guide you through the clearance and home study process and file all necessary paperwork. Their main role is to make sure you understand the process, introduce you to the correct supportive professionals and navigate it correctly so you are able to finalize your forever family.

What does an adoption lawyer do?

At MKSS, our partner Diana Schimmel, Esq. guides adoptive parents through all aspects of the adoption and family building process. We are a boutique firm that exclusively practices family law with a designated niche as a trusted leader in both PA & NJ when it comes to adoption, surrogacy, embryo adoption and ART. Diana is your “quarterback” when the volume of information seems overwhelming to guide you to the right opportunities. MKSS can assist connecting you with the right professionals, resources and/or expectant parents that will support you as you build your family.
Also, your adoption lawyer will know and understand different state laws. They will be able to advise you regarding the benefits (or pitfalls) of where you want to adopt. Next, your adoption lawyer can assist in filing paperwork. When it comes to adoption, there are a lot of t’s to be crossed and i’s to be dotted, so it is important to have an adoption lawyer to file all the important paperwork. Additionally, an adoption lawyer can give you advice on all required clearances and what it means to go through a home study. Before you adopt, there are state requirements for fitness and background checks to ensure you are able to care for a child. The clearance and home study process can be intimidating if you do not know what to expect, so it is smart to receive advice from a knowledgeable professional. Lastly, and possibly the most evident, an adoption lawyer can represent you in any court hearings. Depending on the situation, you may need to attend a court hearing. Your adoption lawyer will be there to represent you and make sure the hearing goes smoothly.

If you or a loved one are thinking about building your family through adoption, surrogacy, embryo adoption or ART, please contact Martine, Katz Scanlon & Schimmel, P.A. with offices in Cherry Hill, Philadelphia, and Princeton. Their devoted adoption lawyers will be there for you every step of the way to make sure you are able to bring a perfect new member into your family.