| Attorney serving Bentonville, Bella Vista, Rogers, Springdale, Fayetteville, Eureka Springs, Berryville, & surrounding areas in Northwest Arkansas. |
DISCLAIMER: Nothing
on this website is
intended to begin the
attorney-client
relationship. Neither The
Bryant Firm nor any
attorney operating under
the auspices of The
Bryant Firm is your
attorney or legal
representation until an
engagement agreement
has been signed by both
you and an attorney at
The Bryant Firm. Nothing
on this site is intended to
be used as legal advice.
Prospective clients
should only rely on legal
advice as said or written
in a letter by a licensed
attorney. Nothing on this
site qualifies as legal
advice.
on this website is
intended to begin the
attorney-client
relationship. Neither The
Bryant Firm nor any
attorney operating under
the auspices of The
Bryant Firm is your
attorney or legal
representation until an
engagement agreement
has been signed by both
you and an attorney at
The Bryant Firm. Nothing
on this site is intended to
be used as legal advice.
Prospective clients
should only rely on legal
advice as said or written
in a letter by a licensed
attorney. Nothing on this
site qualifies as legal
advice.
| PRACTICE AREAS |
Adoptions
Adoptions can be a joyous occasion. When a child does not have a parent, caring adults
who want to care for that child as their own can petition the Court to appoint them the
adoptive parents. That child then becomes their child - he or she will have their last
name and will inherit from them as if they were their own child.
In order for an adoption to succeed, however, several things must take place. In a
traditional adoption, both parents must consent to the adoption and the termination of
their parental rights. Once the appropriate documentation has been signed, they have ten
days to change their minds, after which they can no longer do so.
A home study is conducted by a licensed social worker is usually required as well. The
social worker will interview both parents and visit the home. They will then prepare a
report on the suitability of the adoptive parents and their home.
If potential adoptive parents are to adopt immediately following birth, they will many
times pay for the biological mother's health care costs, living expenses, and other
necessities while carrying the child to be adopted. But no other financial compensation
can be paid.
Adoptions also are involved in the realm of surrogacy contracts, in vitro fertilization, and
other treatments and options available for couples who cannot have children. These
types of transactions are extraordinarily complicated and should be handled under the
supervision of a family attorney.
Step-parent adoptions can be different. Usually, a home study is not required.
However, the consent of the parent to be "replaced" must still be obtained. If that parent
does not want to consent, the parent and step-parent who have petitioned to adopt the
child can force the issue by terminating the non-custodial parent's parental rights. This
can be done if the non-custodial parent has failed to make meaningful contact with or
pay child support to the child for a period of one consecutive year.
who want to care for that child as their own can petition the Court to appoint them the
adoptive parents. That child then becomes their child - he or she will have their last
name and will inherit from them as if they were their own child.
In order for an adoption to succeed, however, several things must take place. In a
traditional adoption, both parents must consent to the adoption and the termination of
their parental rights. Once the appropriate documentation has been signed, they have ten
days to change their minds, after which they can no longer do so.
A home study is conducted by a licensed social worker is usually required as well. The
social worker will interview both parents and visit the home. They will then prepare a
report on the suitability of the adoptive parents and their home.
If potential adoptive parents are to adopt immediately following birth, they will many
times pay for the biological mother's health care costs, living expenses, and other
necessities while carrying the child to be adopted. But no other financial compensation
can be paid.
Adoptions also are involved in the realm of surrogacy contracts, in vitro fertilization, and
other treatments and options available for couples who cannot have children. These
types of transactions are extraordinarily complicated and should be handled under the
supervision of a family attorney.
Step-parent adoptions can be different. Usually, a home study is not required.
However, the consent of the parent to be "replaced" must still be obtained. If that parent
does not want to consent, the parent and step-parent who have petitioned to adopt the
child can force the issue by terminating the non-custodial parent's parental rights. This
can be done if the non-custodial parent has failed to make meaningful contact with or
pay child support to the child for a period of one consecutive year.
| The Bryant Firm, P.A. | 9 Halsted Circle | Rogers, AR 72756 Ph: (479)633-8994 | Fax: (479)633-8997 All rights reserved. (c) The Bryant Firm, 2011. |
| Joshua S. Bryant Attorney at Law THE BRYANT FIRM, P.A. 9 Halsted Circle Rogers, AR 72756 (479)633-8994 Fax: (479)633-8997 |