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ADOPTIONS IN KENTUCKY

Our Legal Services for Adoptions

Adoption is a complicated area of law in which biological parents’ rights are terminated so that the child can legally become a part of a new family. It occurs in a number of different scenarios, such as when biological parents make the selfless decision that they can no longer care for a child, whether it be an infant or older child.

During my practice, I have handled numerous adoptions, including for same sex couples. I proudly handled these adoptions long prior to the legalization of same sex marriage. I believe that families come in all different shapes, and that fundamentally, all a child needs is love. We are very LGBT friendly.

I would welcome the opportunity to discuss growing your family.

AGENCY ADOPTIONS

THIS IS AN ADOPTION WHEREIN A STATE LICENSED AGENCY MATCHES THE ADOPTIVE PARENTS WITH THE BIRTH PARENTS.

INDEPENDENT ADOPTIONS

THIS IS AN ADOPTION WHEREIN THE ADOPTIVE PARENTS AND BIRTH PARENTS FIND ONE ANOTHER THROUGH ANY SOURCE OTHER THAN AN ADOPTION AGENCY.

RELATIVE ADOPTIONS

THIS IS THE LEGAL ADOPTION OF A CHILD BY A BIOLOGICAL RELATIVE AND OFTEN FOLLOWS THE CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES REMOVING A CHILD FROM BIOLOGICAL PARENTS AND PLACING THEM WITH RELATIVES FOR CUSTODY. CUSTODY OFTEN LEADS TO A PERMANENCY OR ADOPTION.

ADULT ADOPTIONS

THIS IS THE LEGAL PROCESS BY WHICH A PERSON OVER THE AGE OF 18 IS ADOPTED. THIS IS THE EASIEST TYPE OF ADOPTION, AS BIOLOGICAL PARENTS DO NOT NEED TO CONSENT AND NO GUARDIAN AD LITEM ATTORNEY IS REQUIRED. THE ADOPTIVE PARENT(S) AND ADOPTIVE ADULT CHILD SIMPLY FILE AN AGREEMENT AND OBTAIN A HEARING DATE IN COURT.

INTRASTATE ADOPTIONS

THESE ARE ADOPTIONS WHERE THE PLACING AND RECEIVING PARENTS RESIDE IN THE SAME STATE.

INTERSTATE ADOPTIONS

THESE ARE ADOPTIONS WHERE THE PLACING AND RECEIVING PARENTS RESIDE IN THE DIFFERENT STATES.

STEPPARENT ADOPTIONS

THIS ADOPTION IS WHERE THE STEPPARENT ADOPTS THE CHILD OF HIS/HER SPOUSE. THE BIOLOGICAL PARENT MUST EITHER GIVE UP HIS/HER RIGHTS VOLUNTARILY OR HAVE THEM INVOLUNTARILY TERMINATED FOR THE STEPPARENT TO ASSUME THIS PERSON’S ROLE AS PARENT.

If you are considering adoption, please contact me and I would be happy to discuss the process with you and your family.

Courtney Howell Freeman, PLLC

Howell & Kidd Attorneys

courtney@howellandkidd.com

(312) 600-4344

Male Couple With Children Walking By Lake
A multi-racial family, with the caucasian mother and father with their caucasian biological sons and their African adopted sons.
Loving father with little son sitting looking at camera indoors