Adoptions of children and young adults often involve people who already know affected children well. Stepparents, grandparents, aunts and uncles are among the numerous parties who may seek to adopt a child due to difficult family circumstances. When the parent(s) of a...
Adoption
Legal hurdles to consider when adopting your stepchild
When you join a blended family through marriage, adoption can be one way to solidify familial bonds with your stepchildren. While adoption can be a deeply rewarding endeavor, establishing legal and emotional bonds with a spouse’s children isn’t always straightforward....
Consent is a key issue in adopting
Parental consent is a crucial hurdle for parents wishing to adopt. It refers to the agreement between the adoptive and biological parents, agency or person acting in place of the parent. Giving consent means relinquishing a child for adoption and release. The...
Do children have a say if their stepparent wants to adopt them?
Stepparent adoption is one of the most common types of adoption here in Kentucky. There are many excellent reasons stepparents wish to adopt a stepchild. These include strengthening family ties, creating a more stable family unit or formalizing an existing...
Some common challenges that adoptive families face
One of the happiest days in an adoptive parent's life is bringing the new family member home. It is common for adoption agencies, family counselors and others in support roles to prepare parents and other family members. Parents may have listened carefully to experts...
Essential details for grandparents who adopt
Grandparent adoption is one of the most common forms of adoption in the United States. Grandparents embark upon it with the best intentions, but it can only occur if there is no hope that the birth parents will be able to supply a safe and stable home for the child....
The adoption process for LGBTQ parents in Kentucky
No state regulations explicitly prohibit single LGBTQ individuals from petitioning to adopt. Nonetheless, the adoption process for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents differs. There are always hurdles (some expected and others unexpected) during an...
U.S. Supreme Court weighs changes to Native American Adoptions
The United States Supreme Court heard three hours of arguments in November on the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978. This sweeping law makes it difficult to remove American Indian children from their heritage and tribes. The arguments were for...
How does foster-care adoption work?
Foster-care adoption involves a child in foster care because their biological parents had their rights terminated by the court. The causes are often related to such issues as neglect, physical abuse, or substance abuse by the parents. The children placed in foster...
Adoptive parents must do a home study
There are many steps in the adoption process. The steps will vary depending upon the details regarding the adoptive family, but the home study is one step that all families must take. Some may feel anxiety with this step because it judges the prospective parent. It...