Arizona Adoption Lawyer – Common Questions About Adoption in AZ

Making the decision to adopt a child is one that brings both a sense of anticipation and confusion. Adopting a child is a rewarding experience, one that will change the lives of your family members, as well as the adopted child forever. The adoption process can also be challenging for families, as they try to navigate through the steps and procedures involved.

Below are some of the commonly asked questions regarding Arizona adoption, which will hopefully shed some light on the concerns that may have been going through your mind:

1. What’s the difference between open adoption and closed adoption? If you ask this question of two different people, you will get two different answers. For the most part, an open adoption can be defined as one in which the birth mother and in some cases, the birth father, have some knowledge of the adoptive parents. In a closed adoption, the birth parents and adoptive parents do not meet or even know each other’s names.
2. Who can adopt a child? Under the law, only adult residents of Arizona can adopt in our state. Adoptive parents must be certified by the court in the county in which they reside. Individuals or married couples may be able to adopt.
3. Who can be adopted? A child, who is under the age of 18, may be adopted, as long as the child’s parents have consented to the adoption. A foreign-born individual aged 21 or under, may also be adopted providing that he or she is not an illegal alien. The child being adopted must be present in Arizona at the time the adoption petition is filed.
4. Is the consent of the birth father needed? In some cases, the answer is “yes.” If the birth mother and father are married, consent is needed. Also, the father will need to provide consent if paternity of the child has been established.
5. Where do I find an adoption agency? There are many adoption agencies in Arizona and throughout the country. There are both private and public agencies. For more information, you should visit: https://www.azdes.gov/az_adoption/.
6. Do I need an Arizona adoption lawyer? Adopting a child is not a simple process and can be overwhelming. An experienced Arizona adoption attorney can assist you with the petition, represent you in court and help you handle the various legal issues that arise.
7. What is a post-adoption contact agreement? This agreement generally has to do with the communication between the adopted child, birth parents and adoptive parents. The court will approve an agreement if it feels that it is in the child’s best interests.

If you are considering adoption and have additional questions, contact the law firm of Curry, Pearson & Wooten, PLC by calling 602-258-1000 or toll free at 1-888-9AZLAWCOM (888-929-5292).