Adoption Attorney in Island County
With Offices in Oak Harbor & Freeland
Adoption clients will benefit from our experience and understanding of the legal issues that often make the difference in these cases. Due to our firm’s depth of experience, we have the resources you need to be confident in your representation.
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Adoption
THE ATTORNEYS AT the Law Offices of Andrew F. Scott and Associates HAVE DEVELOPED THROUGH EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO ASSIST YOU WITH ALL YOUR LEGAL NEEDS.
An adoption provides a rare moment in court; everyone leaves the courtroom happy. At the Law Offices of Andrew F. Scott and Associates, we have represented numerous couples and individuals seeking to add to their families through adoption. To adopt under Washington State law, at least one of the child’s biological parents must have had their rights terminated by a court. Sometimes the termination is involuntary. In other cases, the parental rights of one or both parents are terminated by a court so the child may be adopted by a new family, relative, or stepparent. In any of these situations, it is advised – and even sometimes required by law – that prospective adoptive parents work with an adoption lawyer.
We have represented numerous couples and individuals seeking to add to their families through processes such as step-parent and second parent adoptions. Laura is driven by a desire to achieve successful results while never sacrificing her clients’ well-being.
When working with the Law Offices of Andrew F. Scott and Associates, you will have the advantage of working with the Island County’s leading adoption law firm. Our firm’s lawyers are proficient in all types of adoption cases and ready to help clients achieve their goals through confident advocacy during a complex and emotional process.
Step-Parent Adoption
A step-parent adoption is a very common process. In these cases, one parent will relinquish their rights or have their rights terminated to allow a child to be adopted by the other parent’s new spouse or domestic partner. This is a relatively straightforward process if both parents agree, the proposed adoptive parent is approved by a social worker who conducts an investigation called a post-placement study, and the court gives final approval.
This process can be considerably more difficult when a parent wishes to deny his or her consent to terminate parental rights. We can help you understand your options are in this situation. Although it is considerably more rare, we can help you with other options, such as the possibility of forced termination of the other biological parent’s parental rights.
Second Parent Adoption
A second parent adoption allows an individual to adopt his or her partner’s biological or adopted child without terminating the latter’s parental status. The Law Offices of Andrew F. Scott and Associates can preparing petitions, arrange required post-placement reports, and representing clients at final hearings.
Our lawyers maintain a sensitivity to the unique issues that often accompany second parent adoptions, and welcome the opportunity to help LGBT clients secure their family’s future.
Adoption Following Involuntary Termination
The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is responsible for protecting the safety and welfare of children in abuse or neglect cases. Sometimes, the court will terminate the rights of both parents and the child will be adopted by another family member or a family ready to welcome the child into a loving home. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Andrew F. Scott and Associates have extensive experience in this type of adoption and our entire staff loves working with these special families.
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Experience Matters
Adoption clients will benefit from our experience and understanding of the legal issues that often make the difference in these cases. Due to our firm’s depth of experience, we have the resources you need to be confident in your representation.
For families or individuals hoping to adopt, the first step is usually asking questions and considering options. We extend the invitation to contact the Law Offices of Andrew F. Scott and Associates to schedule a consultation appointment. Our goal is to help you understand both your rights and responsibilities as a prospective adoptive parent.
We offer consultation appointments in Freeland and Oak Harbor.
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Family Law
- Step-Parent Adoption
- Second Parent Adoption
- Adoption Following Involuntary Termination