Adoption is a legal process which allows a person to take on the parenting role of a child. That is, to legally raise the child as if it were their own. The adoption process is a very long process which contains requirements that vary widely amongst different countries. One of the first steps one may take to begin the process is selecting an adoption agency or facilitator to work with. The agency or facilitator may work with a different set of countries, however, some agencies/facilitators work with a single country. A dossier is subsequently done on the adoptive parents which contains the performance of a background check, fingerprints, a home study review by a social worker, and other supporting information. Once the dossier is reviewed, and the adopting seeker is approved, they are matched with a suitable child. Once the parent recieves information about the child, a travel date is arranged for the parent to sign any needed paperwork and to meet the child. Once these steps are met, there are many other legal requirement. For example, the parent must file paperwork to make the child a legal citizen. Also, it may be required for the new family to have visits from social workers by the laws of the country. In the United States, according to the Child Citizenship Act of 2000, the child automatically becomes a citizen when atleast one of the adoptive parent is a United States citizen. The Hague Conference on Private International Law insures all rights for the child – 1. The adoption is in the best interest of the child, and 2. Prevents the abduction, the sale of, or traffic in children.
Family & Adoption are constitutionally protected fundamental rights of every US citizen and legal permanent resident. The laws concerning family, marriage and adoption are complex because the stakes are so high. In this day and age, almost every American family is directly or indirectly impacted by litigation concerning division of property, liability for joint debts, custody of children, maintenance and child support, domestic violence, legal separation and much more.
Lana Zolon & Associates dedicates all the focus and the efforts to confidently represent the clients through a legal process concerning family and marriage. We know and understand our clients: their emotional vulnerability, their financial hardship and the perils of their future. Our motto is positivity and confidence which helps our clients to come out of a difficult situation with financial independence, self-assurance and a healthy outlook on life.
