Minnesota Adoption Lawyers
Adoption is a judicial proceeding that transfers all rights and responsibilities of a biological parent to an adoptive parent. Adoption is a way for parents to grow their family and provide a loving environment for a child.
If you are thinking about adoption in Minnesota, contact the Minneapolis law office of Walling, Berg & Debele, P.A.
Persons desiring adoption have many choices:
- Adoptions may happen at the international, interstate or local level.
- Adoptions can be facilitated by a licensed agency or by private placement.
- Relatives, step-parents and foster parents commonly adopt.
- Governments may provide subsidies and/or financial assistance to persons wanting to adopt, especially in cases of older or special needs children.
- Adoptions may be open, where the adoptive parents know the identity of the birth parents (and vice versa) or closed, where neither party is aware of the identity of the other.
- Adoptions may occur through methods of assisted reproductive technologies such as surrogacy, a gestational carrier or IVF.
- Since stringent rules about "traditional families" have lessened in recent years, adoptions may now be an option for single persons, unmarried couples and same-sex (GLBT) couples wanting to build their family.
The Complexities of Adoption
Complex issues may arise during the adoption process. There are regulations that govern adoptions and related proceedings. Adoptions may involve the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) or the Hague Convention. Associated issues include the termination of parental rights (TPR) proceedings, filing notice on the Minnesota Father's Adoption Registry, the possibility of adoption subsidies, and contact agreements between birth parents and the child.
In addition, an adoptee may be seeking the identity of his/her birth parents or clients may face complications arising from media exposure. Our firm has years of experience handling these complex adoption-related issues. We can compassionately and skillfully guide you through the process.
Representing Biological and Adoptive Parents
Both birth parents and adoptive parents may need representation and counseling during the adoption process. The State of Minnesota prohibits attorneys from matching children with possible adoptive parents; in Minnesota, only state-licensed agencies can perform this service. There are also specific rules, which vary from state-to-state, regarding the types of payments a birth mother may receive from adoptive parents.
If you would like to view a small sampling of our significant family law cases, please click here.
Contact an Experienced Adoption Attorney
Walling, Berg & Debele is committed to offering quality legal services to adoptive and biological parents. Please contact us to schedule an initial consultation.
For more general information, please view our adoption information center.
