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Utah Divorce Advice
01Feb,17

Child Adoption Options in Utah

Adoption is a life-changing experience no matter if you are adopting or being adopted. You may be a step parent looking to adopt a child to ensure he or she gains access to benefits. You may be older, even an adult, looking at the options in being adopted. At Schmidt Law Firm Law Firm, we make it our goal to help you through the adoption process. Utah adoption law is complex. Having a skilled and experienced attorney by your side is essential.

Because there are various legal processes associated with adoption, we recommend discussing your case with our team today. In Utah, family court manages all aspects of the adoption process. We’ll aid in the filing of legal documents, helping you during scheduled hearings, adjust the judge necessary questions and ensuring your final adoption decree is created as quickly as possible. After the judge agrees to the process, the final step is to have a new birth certificate created. We can help you to do this with the aid of the Office of Vital Records and Statistics. Consider these types of adoption.

Step-Parent Adoptions

Step-parents often adopt the children of those they marry, but the noncustodial parent, the married partner, and/or the legal guardian must consent. The child must be living with the step-parent for at least a year, must be at least 10 years younger than the step parent, and must consent if he or she is over 12.

Infant Adoption

After the biological parents (mother and father) are given counseling support and fully understand the legal matter of adoption and losing their rights, they can consent for their infant to be adopted. Legal documents relinquish the parental rights of the mother (and father if available) to the adopted parents.

Out of State Adoption

Children over six months may be adopted out of state if the birth mother and biological father have agreed legally to do so.

International Adoption

Adopting a child internationally requires a great deal of planning. However, once a foreign country agrees to the adoption and creates a legally binding adoption decree for the child, that decree is fully recognized in Utah as binding. After the adoption, the new parents must register with the state and request a new birth certificate for the child.

Foster Child Adoption

Foster parents wishing to adopt the child first need to receive full screening, be fingerprinted by the FBI, have a full background check, and be cleared of any neglect or abuse charges. These rules are different (less involved) for those who are a noncustodial parent or relative of the child. The court must decide if adoption is the best option on an individual basis for the child.

Indian Child Welfare Act Adoption

The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) specifically details the placement of a Native American child in foster care. Like foster care parents wishing to adopt their child, thorough screening and background checks are necessary.

Adult Adoption

Adult adoptions are possible in various situations. Utah law allows for people who are over the age of 18 to be adopted by people who are over the age of 65 for reasons such as mental or physical impairments.

Contact a Salt Lake City Adoption Attorney at Schmidt Law Firm Law Firm

AllowSchmidt Law Firm Law Firm to help you with all aspects and questions of your adoption process.Our team can help you with:

  • Birth parent representation in protecting or relinquishing your rights

  • Adoption agency representation, counsel and licensing

  • Contested adoptions (managing all aspects of the process including coordination of birth family, agency, court, and adoptive family)

  • State law based structuring of placements of children

As an experienced team, you can trust us with this very intimate and important process. Contact us today for a consultation to discuss your adoption matter. Allow us to learn fully about your needs and help you to prepare all legal documentation for the process.