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Adoption Law Services

Every adoption case is different, so we assess your situation and provide suitable solutions for you and your family. Our experienced adoption solicitors can advise on: 

  • Adoption applications and assessments 
  • Parental rights 
  • Alternatives to adoption 
  • International adoption 
  • Adopting a child from social services care 
  • Adopting a child within the family 
  • Contact for adopted children 
  • Applications by birth families in adoption proceedings 
  • Representing children in adoption proceedings 

Adoption Court Order

To make adoption legal, you need to apply for an adoption court order. This grants you parental rights and responsibilities for the child. The child must have lived with you for at least 10 weeks before applying, although this can vary.  

Once the order is granted, the adoption becomes permanent and the child will have the same legal rights as a birth child. 

FAQs

Adopting a child involves a legal procedure where one person takes on the role of parent from the child’s biological or legal parents. This process transfers all rights and responsibilities, as well as filiation, from the biological parents to the adoptive parents.

In the UK, the adoption process can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. The overall duration can be influenced by various factors, including the availability of suitable matches, the complexity of the case, agency procedures, and the time required for preparation.

Fostering offers temporary care for children under the guardianship of the local authority or fostering agency, with the goal of supporting reunification with birth families or finding alternative permanent arrangements. Adoption, on the other hand, provides a permanent family placement for children, where adoptive parents take on full legal responsibility and rights.

Additional Legal Support You Might Need

Adoption often involves other areas of family law, depending on your circumstances. You may find that during the adoption process, or when planning for life afterward, you need legal advice or support in related matters.

We offer a range of services that can help you navigate these situations, each designed to provide clarity, protection, and peace of mind as you take this important step. These include:

Grandparents’ Rights Solicitors
Emergency Protection Order Solicitors
Special Guardianship Order Solicitors
Child Arrangements
Will Writing

Additional Legal Support You Might Need

Adoption often involves other areas of family law, depending on your circumstances. You may find that during the adoption process, or when planning for life afterward, you need legal advice or support in related matters.

We offer a range of services that can help you navigate these situations, each designed to provide clarity, protection, and peace of mind as you take this important step. These include:

Grandparents’ Rights Solicitors
Emergency Protection Order Solicitors
Special Guardianship Order Solicitors
Child Arrangements
Will Writing