Adoption
What’s the Difference Between an Adoption Lawyer and an Adoption Agency?
When starting the adoption process, a common question is whether to use an adoption lawyer or an adoption agency. Understanding the differences can help you make an informed decision about your path to bringing home a child. It’s important to know that an adoption attorney and an adoption agency are different. This means that they…
Read MoreWhat Are the Rights of Biological Fathers in Tennessee Adoptions?
If you are an expectant birth mother considering adoption, it’s crucial to understand that biological fathers have specific rights in Tennessee. Even if you are not married to the father, he may have the ability to contest the adoption, which can complicate the process. If you have questions or concerns about the adoption process or…
Read MoreWhy Is the Department of Child Services Involved in My Case?
Family law is complex. It involves real families who are experiencing serious stress and disruption to their lives. If you’re working with a family lawyer, it means that you and your family are likely going through one of a few scenarios. Since this type of law clearly involves families, you might be seeking legal advice…
Read MoreCommon Legal Issues Throughout the Adoption Process
The proverbial saying “It takes a village to raise a child” is true when it comes to the adoption process. While adoption revolves around what is best for the child, it’s also a process where both the adoptive parents and the biological parents work together in giving the child the best life possible. Often, however,…
Read MoreCan I Adopt a Younger Sibling?
The short answer is yes, provided the person doing the adopting is an adult and meets the other standard qualifications. Adoption by sibling falls under the category of adoption by a relative, also known as a kinship adoption. Generally, adoption agencies do like to keep families together, so kinship adoptions are encouraged whenever possible. Situations…
Read MoreAdopting Issues Involved in Adopting a Sibling in Tennessee
Adoptions generally happen in a few ways. A stepparent may want to adopt a child if the non-spousal parent is deceased or has no interest in raising the child. Parents often adopt new children through adoption agencies so the child can be part of a loving family. There are some situations where family members may…
Read MoreHow Does the Adoption Process Work in Tennessee?
Adopting a child is one of the sweet joys of life. Unlike most court actions, adoptions are usually not contested although there are some exceptions. Adoptions bring a needy child into the loving arms of a caring couple or person. Tennessee does have numerous requirements which an experienced adoption lawyer can explain. Tennessee adoption law…
Read MoreGuardianship vs. Adoption: Which One Is Right For You?
Making a decision about the caretaking of a child can be one of the most rewarding yet difficult undertakings. If you are charged with the care of a child, you have serious decisions to make that will affect this young life for years to come. You will have to decide whether guardianship or adoption is…
Read MoreRecognizing the Rights of Biological Fathers in Adoption
When an unmarried woman gives birth to a child and then she wants to place that child for adoption, she has a legal obligation to obtain consent from the child’s other biological parent before doing so. Unmarried fathers have legal rights which, by law, must be recognized and taken into consideration before allowing the child…
Read MoreSubsidized Permanent Guardianship of a Minor in Tennessee
The foster care system can be a challenging and heartbreaking way for a child to grow up. Every day, young people age out of the system – that is, they grow up to the age of majority and are then left to function on their own without a family to support them, nurture them or…
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