Best Family Law Attorneys in Bartlett, TN

Adoption is a legal process through which an individual or couple establishes a legal parent-child relationship with a person (usually a child) born to other parents. An adoption gives the adoptive parents all of the same rights and responsibilities regarding the child as they would have regarding their biological children.

Depending on the circumstances, you will probably be required to have a home study completed. This study is conducted by a certified home study worker to ensure that you will offer the child a safe, healthy environment. For foster parents, a home study is likely to be done before becoming foster parents, so a second study is not usually required for the adoption. Home studies can also be waived in stepparent adoptions and other situations in which the child already has a relationship with the adopting parents.

Under Tennessee law, an individual person or a couple who are married to one another may seek to adopt a child. Each adopting parent must be at least 18 years old and have lived continuously in Tennessee for at least six months. Exceptions may be possible to the residency requirement for members of the military and in certain relative adoption cases. Adoption agencies may have more specific requirements to adopt through their programs as well.

Each adoption case is different and the amount of time required will depend on the circumstances involved with your specific situation. Some adoptions can be completed in just a few weeks, while others might take several months or even years to complete. Your attorney can help you understand the factors that might affect your expected timeline.

A foreign adoption is an adoption that allows Tennessee parents to adopt a child from another country. In many foreign adoption cases, agencies are involved to facilitate the adoption, but it is important to work with a knowledgeable attorney to help you address any legal concerns that may arise.