Adoption

Adoption is a legal process whereby a new status of parent and child is created by the order of a court, between an adult and a child, or children, whether they are related to each other or not. An Adoption Order may be applied for by what is known in law as “a relevant couple”, or one person. Step-adoptions where formerly a parent of a child and the step-parent could have jointly adopted the child are now excluded by law. The current legislation anticipates that the person applying for an Adoption Order, may be a parent, step-parent or a relative, including a grandparent, brother, sister, uncle, or aunt of the child.

An application to the court for the adoption of a child can often be a fairly daunting process. Should you be at an early stage in exploring the possibility of adoption, we will be happy to answer any questions which you may have to assist you in deciding whether to proceed with adoption. We will also be happy to advise you regarding parental responsibilities and parental rights if you are a relative or carer who requires advice about your current and future relationship with a child. We will be in a position to answer your questions and give you advice about your particular circumstances.

We are also in a position to advise you regarding a child who is subject to a Permanence Order and we can assist you through the next stage of the process towards adoption.

If you are at an early stage and looking for initial advice regarding a proposed adoption, we may be able to provide you with a fixed fee quotation for an initial meeting to discuss and advise you regarding your particular circumstances. Should you wish an initial fee quotation before the first meeting with one of our Solicitors, please ask us for a quotation and we will be happy to provide you with a written quotation before the initial meeting.