Adoption

Adoption is the legal process of establishing a parent/child relationship in which one person takes the child of another person as his or her own and assumes complete legal custody and responsibility for that child. The biological parent(s) give up their parental rights and responsibilities severing all legal ties to the child. The adopted child…

An open adoption is when both the biological parents and the adoptive parents agree that the adopted child can find his or her birth parents in the future. A closed adoption is when the birth parents do not wish to have the child find them. For medical purposes in a closed adoption, it is wise to provide some means of access to the biological parents’ health records in case a genetic disorder or organ compatibility situation becomes an issue at some point for the adopted child.

Specific information is required in an adoption petition. Whenever a petition for adoption of a minor is filed, a pre-placement assessment must be made to the court which determines whether or not the petitioner is an appropriate person and has an appropriate home for the adoptive minor child. These assessments are prepared by the respective county’s Department of Social Services.

Any adult, 18 years or older, can become an adoptive parent of a child or another adult in North Carolina. The adopting parent can be single, married, divorced or widowed. State law does not regulate the economic status or the parenting experience of the prospective adoptive parent(s). The primary requirement is that the adopting parent(s) be personally committed to the positive welfare and happiness of their new child.

The adoption process can be a complex web of legal work including securing and filling out forms, drafting agreements, making proper filings, reviewing documents and representing you as a prospective adoptive parent in a court. However, the happy event of adding a new member to your welcoming family is well worth the effort.