Best Adoption Lawyers in Knoxville, TN

Yes, they can. There is no prohibition against adoption based on sexuality. However, under Tennesse Law, private adoption agencies can choose only to work with heterosexual couples.

Yes! You can adopt if you're single, married, or divorced. Just keep in mind that if you are married, both you and your spouse need to sign the adoption petition.

For most adoptions, a home study is required by Tennessee Law. However, for relative adoptions, the Court may waive the home study requirement. For adoptions, Tennessee defines "relative" as "grandparents or any degree of great-grandparents, aunts or uncles, or any degree of great-aunts or great-uncles, or step-parent, or cousins of the first degree, or first cousins once removed, or any siblings of the whole or half degree or any spouse of the above-listed relatives..."

Yes, to adopt in Tennessee the parent must live or maintain a regular place of abode in Tennessee at the time of filing the adoption petition. The exceptions to this rule are for: Parents who have received an order of guardianship from a Tennessee court; and Parents who are in the military and stationed outside of Tennessee; but, maintained a regular abode in Tennessee before entry in the military; or, identified Tennessee as their state of legal residence.

If you adopt a foster child, the answer to this question is almost always "yes." If the child qualifies as a special needs child (very common), then the state will pay for attorney's fees.