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Posts tagged "Adoption"

How can I adopt my stepchild?


Is a paternity test required before an adoption is allowed?

As you've probably noticed, the image of the nuclear family is gone and so too are the presumptions that a father and mother need to be married in order to be considered a family. For a lot of fathers across the Gaithersburg area and elsewhere in Maryland, their decision not to marry their partner but still have a child with them does not make them any less of a family. But when it comes to family law matters, their decision is one that can create problems.

Two-year wait is over for two adopted Congo children

Looking back, we can now say that 2013 was a dark year thanks in part to a series of high-profile cases involving adoptive parents and less-than honorable actions. As you may remember, a Reuters journalist uncovered a ring of adoptive parents who were giving up their children using online sites like Facebook. Because the new families were not vetted by adoption agencies, some children were relocated to unsafe homes where they suffered atrocities like abuse and neglect.

Maryland offers options for same-sex couples looking to adopt

Even though the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges granted same-sex couples the right to marry in every state in the nation, the family law issues they face are still present in many states. As you've probably seen on the news, some county clerks have denied requests for marriage licenses. And in some states, laws have yet to catch up in order to provide guidance on issues like divorce and child custody.

What's the difference between an open and closed adoption?

Times are constantly changing and what was once considered the cultural norm 20 or 30 years ago certainly isn't the case now. Take for example adoptions. In the past, many – if not all – adoptions were closed. But nowadays, things are different. Many birthparents and adoptive parents are starting to see the benefits of an open adoption, making way for new and better arrangements in the end.

Getting legal representation can be a game changer when adopting


Public or private adoption agencies: what's the difference?

Many couples in Maryland choose adoption as a way to grow their family. In some cases, it's because the couple is not able to have children of their own. For others, adoption is a great way to give a child in need a home. Whatever the reason, couples, as well as individuals, need to consider whether they will start the adoption process through a public or private agency. That's because, once the process has been started by signing a contract, adopters are prohibited by law to begin negotiations with another agency.

Is it possible to adopt a foster child in Maryland?


Are there any restrictions on who may adopt in Maryland?

If you've been following the news lately about the legalization of same-sex marriages in other states, you may have come across stories that have talked about the related legal issues the state's legislatures must also address such as divorce, child custody and adoptions. After reading these stories, one can't help but remember when our own state legislature faced the same challenging task.

Type of adoption available to Maryland residents

When a family is considering adoption, there are a number of ways that they can choose to add to their growing family. Multiple routes to adoption are available to Maryland residents, and give families a number of options. Just as conceiving biological child is not the only way to obtain a son or daughter, there is no one "right" path on which to pursue adoption.