Adoption is a legal process. It involves the transferring of the biological parent’s rights to non-biological parents. We’d like to help you do it. By adopting a child, all the rights and responsibilities of a natural parent are transferred to you. We’re there to guide you through the often exciting and emotional process of adoption. Adoption can be either contested or uncontested. Contested meaning, an adoption matter where: 1) there are two or more adoption petitions regarding the same child; 2) a party has filed a written challenge to the adoption; or 3) a legal custodian or legal guardian who is not a parent has withheld consent. Uncontested meaning, that the non-petitioning parent, if one exists, must give written consent to the child’s adoption or that parent’s parental rights must be terminated by the Court if they have not already been terminated. Whether you are searching for a private adoption (usually arranged between biological parents and adoptive parents, and facilitated by an adoption lawyer) or you are seeking a stepparent adoption, you can count on Seymour Family Law. We will work to ensure that your adoption process is completed in a timely and professional manner. However, the adoption process is not complete until the finalization hearing, and that takes place one year after the initial adoption. The hearing is to assess the past year and whether or not the child fits in the new home. If after the hearing the current placement is ruled a good fit, the adoption then will be finalized. If you wish to adopt or you are a birth parent needing to protect your rights, our experience, with both, can ensure a path to a happy future with the newest member of your family.