Adoption Attorneys in Colorado Springs

Adopting a child is a journey, and each parent’s path is unique. Adoption can help you grow your family or become a parent for the first time, and prospective parents consider adoption for a variety of reasons. It can be an incredible blessing, but it can also be a challenging and even exhausting process without the right support and guidance.

At Liberty Law Center, we’re here to help you understand what the adoption process looks like, ensure everything is done in accordance with the law, and address any issues that may arise. Call our firm to speak to attorneys specializing in family affairs, how we’ve helped other adoptive parents in Colorado Springs, and how we can help you get through the adoption process more smoothly.

What Types of Adoption Are Available in Colorado?

Deciding to adopt is a big step, but it’s only the first one. Once you’re ready to add to your family, you’ll also need to decide what kind of adoption is right for you. There are three main ways to adopt a child.

Adoption From Foster Care in Colorado

The Colorado County Departments of Human and Social Services oversee the foster care system in Colorado. Children whose parents are unable to care for them are placed in this system. The goal of foster care is to eventually reunite the family, but unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen. Once parental rights are terminated, the children are legally able to be adopted. In most cases, those who want to adopt from foster care must go through the certification process to become foster parents first.

Private Adoption Within the United States

If the biological parents voluntarily give up their parental rights, their child can be placed up for adoption. Private adoption is facilitated through a private adoption agency. In Colorado, you must adopt through an agency. For example, if you know of someone who is pregnant and planning to put the baby up for adoption, both parties would need to go through an adoption agency to make the adoption legal. When you work with an adoption agency, they will do interviews and home studies to ensure that you’re able to adopt and then help you find a match.

International Adoption

International adoption is when a child is adopted from another country. This process can vary dramatically depending on the country you’re trying to adopt from, and not all countries allow international adoptions to the United States. If you are considering this option, it’s best to work with a verified international adoption agency and an adoption attorney who has experience with international cases.

What Are the Requirements to Adopt?

Each adoption agency may have its own requirements for prospective adoptive parents. For example, many adoption agencies require that adoptive parents be of a certain age. To adopt from foster care in Colorado, you must be at least 21 years old. There may also be financial requirements because the agency wants to ensure that you have the financial means to support a child.

The state of Colorado doesn’t require a prospective adoptive parent to be married. However, some adoption agencies may have specific requirements for this. Some countries may also have this requirement. For example, the Dominican Republic and India both require that adoptive parents be married.

If you are interested in adopting from the foster care system, keep in mind that there may be additional steps. You will need to go through the foster parent training and certification process, which includes instruction on first aid and CPR as well as resources to support you during and after the adoption.

How Long Does a Colorado Adoption Take?

From first making the decision to grow your family through adoption to finalizing the adoption, it can take several years to get through the adoption process. International adoptions can often take the longest because you also have to contend with traveling to the other country and U.S. visa requirements. If you’ve already been chosen by the biological parents, this can help make the process faster. Otherwise, you will need to create your profile with the adoption agency and wait for a match.

Colorado also has a 6-month mandatory waiting period. This starts on the day that you take over custody of the child. The waiting period is to ensure that the adoption is a good fit and to ensure the family has time to take advantage of the resources and support personnel.

What Does an Colorado Springs Adoption Attorney Do?

While Colorado law doesn’t require that you use an adoption attorney, doing so can make the process easier and far less stressful. An adoption attorney’s job is to ensure that your adoption goes through as smoothly as possible and to address any potential roadblocks or issues. Adoption attorneys can help you find an adoption agency to work with, ensure your paperwork is complete and in line with Colorado law, and provide information on the legal aspects of this process.

Adoption attorneys can also help you negotiate the terms of an adoption — such as whether it will be a closed or open adoption — and represent you in court if there are any disputes or conflicts along the way. Most of all, an adoption attorney is an experienced professional who understands how overwhelming this process can be and is there to guide you through each step.

Let the legal team at Liberty Law Center guide you through the adoption process so you have someone who can answer your questions and look out for your rights and interests. Call our Colorado Springs office at 719-578-1183 to schedule an appointment and discuss your situation and legal needs.