Weddington Adoption Lawyers

Experienced attorneys helping you grow your family in North Carolina

Adoption is a wonderful way to grow your family and provide a child with a loving, stable home. At Epperson Law Group, PLLC, our Weddington family law attorneys are here to guide you through every step of the adoption process. Whether you’re looking to adopt a newborn, an older child, or even adopt a stepchild, we can help make the journey smoother by ensuring all legal requirements are met and your rights are protected. Our goal is to make this life-changing experience as stress-free as possible, so you can focus on building your future together as a family.

How can we help?

What does the adoption of a child mean?
What kinds of adoptions do your Weddington family law attorneys handle?
How does the adoption process work in Weddington?
What is the judge’s role when parents adopt?
When does the right of a biological parent need to be terminated?
Do you have a Weddington adoption lawyer near me?

What does the adoption of a child mean?

Adoption is a legal process that creates a permanent, parent-child relationship between an adult and a child who is not biologically their own. It gives the adoptive parents all the rights and responsibilities of a biological parent, and the child gains the same legal status as a biological child, including inheritance rights. Once the adoption is finalized, the birth parents' legal rights and responsibilities are permanently terminated. Adoption can be a way for families to grow and provide a loving, stable home for a child.

In North Carolina, either a married couple or an individual can file a petition to adopt. “If a married individual files a petition to adopt, that person’s spouse must join the petition unless the petitioner files a motion to waive the requirement for cause and the clerk enters an order to waive the requirement.”

The state goes on to note that “A child or adult can be adopted. But, spouses may not adopt each other. An adult adoptee must consent to the adoption. A child age 12 or older must consent to the adoption unless the petitioner files a motion to waive the requirement for cause and the clerk enters an order to waive the requirement.”

What kinds of adoptions do your Weddington family law attorneys handle?

Our Weddington family law attorneys handle the following types of adoption:

Agency adoption: This is when the Union County Department of Social Services or a licensed agency places a child with adoptive parents. The agency gives consent when making the placement. Agency adoptions can be:
- Open: The adoptive parents and the child know who the biological parents are.
- Closed: The identities of the biological parents are not shared with the adoptive parents or the child.
Stepparent adoption: When someone marries a person who already has children, they might want to adopt their stepchildren. We’ll explain how this process works, including when the biological parent’s consent is needed to terminate their rights.
Relative adoption: If a parent is unable to care for their child or has passed away, another family member, like a grandparent or sibling, may seek to adopt the child. We’ll discuss the benefits and challenges, especially if the biological parent may regain the ability to care for their child later.
Foreign adoption: This includes:
- Re-adopting a child already adopted abroad by the same family.
- Adopting a child when the adoption wasn’t finalized in the foreign country.
Adult adoption: This involves one adult adopting another, such as when an adult with special needs requires long-term care.
Same-sex adoption: Known as a "second parent" adoption, this can happen in two ways:
- A non-biological parent adopts their partner’s or spouse’s biological child.
- Joint adoptions where neither parent is related to the child.

Our Weddington adoption lawyers understand the complexities of each type of adoption and are here to guide you through the process.

How does the adoption process work in Weddington?

Adoption is a legal process that starts when the adoptive parent files a petition at the Union County Courthouse or in the country where the adoption agency is located. In North Carolina, a home study (or pre-placement assessment) may be required to check if the adoptive parents are suitable. The Union County Department of Social Services conducts the home study and other evaluations. While the petition, home study results, and recommendations are confidential, the final adoption decree is public.

Our Weddington adoption attorneys know the timelines and steps involved in filing an adoption petition. The process usually includes providing home study results, getting necessary consents (like from the biological parents), submitting an affidavit with information about the biological parents, and paying court fees. At Epperson Law Group, PLLC, we handle all the paperwork needed to terminate the biological parents' rights (if needed) and prepare the final adoption decree for the judge to sign.

What is the judge’s role when parents adopt?

When parents adopt, the judge’s role is to ensure that the adoption is in the best interests of the child. The judge reviews the adoption petition, the results of any home study, and all supporting documents to ensure the adoptive parents meet the legal requirements and can provide a safe and loving home. The judge also checks that all necessary consents, like those from the biological parents (if required), are obtained properly. If everything is in order, the judge will approve the adoption and sign the final decree, making the adoption official and legally binding.

When does the right of a biological parent need to be terminated?

The rights of a biological parent need to be terminated when another individual, like an adoptive parent or stepparent, wishes to legally adopt the child. This termination is required to sever the legal relationship between the child and the biological parent, allowing the adoptive parent to gain full legal rights and responsibilities. In North Carolina, termination may happen voluntarily, if the biological parent consents to give up their parental rights, or involuntarily, if the court determines it's in the child’s best interests due to reasons like abandonment, neglect, or unfitness. For the adoption process to proceed, this termination must be completed and approved by the court.

Do you have a Weddington adoption lawyer near me?

Epperson Law Group, PLLC sees clients at its offices at 1940 Weddington Road, Weddington, NC 28104, by appointment only. We serve all of North Carolina. We also offer virtual conferences and telephone consultations. Call us today.

Dedicated Weddington adoption attorneys helping complete your family

If you're considering adoption in Weddington, the experienced family law attorneys at Epperson Law Group, PLLC are here to guide you every step of the way. Whether you’re adopting a stepchild, a relative, or working with an agency, we’ll help make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible. Let us provide the support and legal expertise you need to build the family you’ve always dreamed of. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and start your adoption journey. To schedule your consultation, please call us or fill out our contact form.