Boone Adoption Lawyers

Helping parents and children unite as one family

Many parts of family law are contentious; Adoption is the area of family law that is usually the most collaborative. An adoption means parents have the joy of a new child to love and nurture. Children have the love, stability, and happiness that becoming part of a family brings. Epperson Law Group, PLLC can guide you through each step of the adoption process. These steps often include a lot of paperwork, the possible need to terminate the rights of a biological parent, and reviews of your family’s living situation and ability to care for your adoptee. Our Boone adoption lawyers handle all types of adoptions.

How can we help?

What does the adoption of a child mean?
What kinds of adoptions do your Boone family law attorneys handle?
How does the adoption process work in Boone?
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 Boone adoption lawyer near me?

What does the adoption of a child mean?

Adoption is the formal way that a parent and a child become a legal family. Once a Watauga County family court judge approves the adoption, the parent and the child have the same legal rights as a biological parent and child. The parent has the duty to protect and raise the adopted child. The adoptee can inherit through the parent. Both can love each other forever.

In North Carolina, married couples and individuals can adopt a child. The adoptee can be a child or an adult. Adult adoptees and children 12 and older must consent to the adoption. Some exceptions to the consent requirement may apply, such as when a child has cognitive disabilities and doesn’t understand what consenting means. One spouse cannot adopt another spouse. A Watauga County judge supervises the adoption to ensure everyone involved is protected.

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

Our Boone adoption lawyers handle the following types of adoptions:

An agency adoption. Here, the Watauga County Department of Social Services or a licensed child-placing agency places a child with a prospective adoptive parent. The agency consents to the adoption when it makes the placement. Agency adoptions can be open or closed:
- The adoptee and adoptive parents are informed of the identity of the biological parents.
- Neither the adoptee nor the adoptive parents are told who the biological parents are.
A stepparent adoption. When a person marries someone who already has children, the new spouse may want to adopt their spouse’s children. We’ll explain when and how stepparents can adopt their spouse’s children. A common requirement is that the biological parent(s), if alive, has to consent to the termination of their rights.
A relative adoption. Sometimes a parent is not able to take care of their children or predeceases their child. In the scenario, another family member such as a grandparent, sibling, or another close relative may ask the court for approval to adopt the child. We’ll explain the pros and cons of this type of adoption. A key factor is the likelihood that the child’s biological parent may (or may not) be able to take care of their child in the future.
A foreign adoption. These adoptions include:
- Re-adoption of a child who was adopted in a foreign country by the same petitioner.
- Adoption of a child when an adoption is not finalized in a foreign country.
An adult adoption. This type of adoption includes an adult who adopts another adult—such as when the adoptee adult has special needs.
Same-sex adoption. This type of adoption process is known as a “second parent” adoption. These adoptions can occur in different ways:
- A nonbiological parent wants to adopt their partner’s/spouse’s biological child.
- Joint adoptions where neither adoptive parent is related to the adoptee

Our Boone adoption lawyers understand the unique issues involved with each type of adoption.

How does the adoption process work in Boone?

An adoption is a court proceeding. The process begins when the adoptive parent files an adoption petition request in the Watauga County Courthouse – or in the country of an adoptive agency.

North Carolina may require a home study (a pre-placement assessment) to evaluate the fitness of the adoptive parents. The home study and any other comparative actions are prepared by the Watauga County Department of Social Services (WCDSS). The petition, home study results, and any recommendations by WCDSS are not open to the public. The final decree of adoption is accessible to the public.

Our Boone adoption lawyers understand the timelines and requirements for serving an adoption petition. The requirements generally include the results of any home assessments, any consent required (if there is consent from biological parents), an affidavit (that identifies the biological parents’ names, marital status, and addresses), and the payment of the court costs.

At Epperson Law Group, PLLC, we can prepare any documents necessary to terminate the rights of one or both biological parents. We can also prepare the formal adoption decree that the family law judge signs.

What is the judge’s role when parents adopt?

The family law judge may need to hold a hearing if a biological parent or someone else with a valid interest objects to the adoption. Our adoption lawyers work to resolve any disputes before a hearing. If the disputes can’t be resolved, then at the hearing, we work to convince the judge that:

The adoption is in the best interests of the adoptee
The adoption should be approved
The objection fails to have merit

Our Boone adoption lawyers can help you anticipate these questions so you can relax and focus on the needs of your adoptee. We also represent biological parents who contest an adoption. \

If there are no objections or any objections are resolved, a family law judge may still hold a hearing to signify the occasion. The approval of the adoption before the court is a lovely experience to remember.

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

If neither parent is an adoptive parent, then the rights of both parents must often be terminated. In many cases, the biological parents will consent to the termination, which is often what happens with agency adoptions. If either or both biological parents are deceased, proof of death may be required.

When one biological parent marries a non-biological parent, the other biological parent must consent to the adoption (and a termination of their parental rights) in writing.

Usually, the family court will not approve an adoption if one or both biological parents object. unless there are grounds for termination such as abuse or abandonment.

Do you have a Boone adoption lawyer near me?

At Epperson Law Group, we’re ready to answer your adoption questions today. We meet adoptive parents and biological parents alike at our office in Boone located at 870 W. King Street, Unit A. We also conduct consultations by video and phone.

Talk with our caring Boone adoption attorneys today

At Epperson Law Group, PLLC, we understand the joy of becoming adoptive parents. We also understand the considerable legal work that must be done to ensure your adoption is approved. We know how to handle the disputes that may affect your right to adopt another child, or your right to contest an adoption. We can handle the issues so you can focus on what matters most: Your newest family member. To schedule a consultation with a Boone adoption attorney, please call us or fill out our contact form.