Aurora Adoption Lawyer

Child Adoption Lawyer in Colorado

Adoption is an exciting and enriching experience, but if you’re considering adoption, you are also likely to have a considerable number of questions on your mind. Fortunately, the right lawyer can help you navigate the legal process of adoption in accordance with Colorado law. In fact, if you’re ready to discuss the possibility of adoption, it’s in your best interest to find the best Aurora adoption attorney today.

General Adoption Requirements in Colorado

All states have requirements for potential parents to adopt. Colorado’s requirements are relatively simple and include:

1. You must be at least 21 years of age (the law doesn’t specify a maximum age) or a minor with court approval
2. You must not have a criminal history of any of the following: child abuse or neglect, domestic abuse or violence, any crimes involving a minor, any violent or sexual crimes, felony physical assault or battery, or a felony drug-related conviction within the past five years

Your Aurora adoption lawyers can help you increase your chances of being eligible to adopt and help guide you in the process.

The Adoption Process in Colorado

The adoption process in every state – including Colorado – tends to be long and arduous. After all, the authorities are preparing to entrust you with the life, well-being, and happiness of a child, and that is a massive responsibility. There are three types of adoption available in Colorado, including:

1. Adoptions through the foster care system
2. Private domestic adoptions
3. International adoptions

The majority of adoptions in the United States funnel through the foster care system.

Next Steps: The Adoption Home Study

Before moving ahead, you’ll need to go through a home Study that ultimately approves you for adoption. The purpose of this home study is to ensure that you and your spouse (if you’re adopting as a couple) are emotionally, financially, and physically capable of and prepared to adopt and raise a child. The obvious goal is to help ensure that children are placed in loving, well-adjusted families who have the emotional, financial, and physical resources necessary to raise a happy, healthy child. Your home study will consist of both extensive document submissions and an in-home visit from your appointed home-study worker. While the home study process is intense, if it results in you adopting a bouncing bundle of joy, it will be more than worth the effort.

The Goals of The Colorado Adoption System

The Colorado Department of Human Services endeavors to keep children with their birth families if at all possible. Sometimes, however, this simply isn’t possible or isn’t in the child’s best interests. Barring this, they seek adoptive families for children who are funneling through the foster care network.

Can Single Parents Adopt in Colorado?

You do not have to be married in order to adopt in Colorado, but if you are married, you and your spouse must adopt together. LGBTQ couples are also welcome to adopt in the state.

Colorado Is an Adoption Agency State

The State of Colorado is an agency state, and this means that, in order to adopt, you will need to use either a private child placement agency or use one of the county’s child placement agencies. If you are considering adopting an older child, using a county agency is a great way to go, but if you have your heart set on adopting a baby or a very young child, you should work with a reputable private agency – under the direct guidance of your experienced adoption attorney.

Depending on the public or private agency you are using to complete your adoption, there might be additional requirements. By working with Aurora adoption attorneys, you can ensure that you understand and meet these requirements. These requirements might include:

1. A home study is performed by a social worker to ensure that the home is safe and the potential parents are fit
2. Financial checks that look for economic stability and capability; however, you don’t have to be wealthy to adopt a child
3. Orientation or training classes to ensure you are prepared for the adoption process and parenthood
4. Medical histories for both physical and mental health to ensure the parents are stable and physically able to care for a child
5. Waiting periods that are required by law between the time the child is in the home and the adoption is finalized

Contact an Experienced Aurora Adoption Attorney Near You

If you are excited about adoption, the Aurora adoption attorneys at CNL Law Firm, PLLC, are excited to help you travel the often-complicated path toward adoption. We are well-versed in the adoption process, and we can help make your adoption dreams come true. Our experienced legal team is here for you, so please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call us at (720) 370-2171 for more information today.