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Family Law

Family law refers to rules, regulations, and court procedures involving a family. As with most other areas of the law, whether you need a family law attorney depends on a number of factors specific to your situation. Although some family law matters may be handled without counsel, processes such as divorce and child custody often require the skill and expertise of a skilled attorney.

Adoption

When it comes to adoption, our goal is to enable prospective parents to come together with children who need families. Adoption includes various aspects that need legal guidance. At Rubenstein & Pitts, we will guide you throughout the adoption process.

Seeking legal advice during the process of adoption gives you five key benefits:

  1. An unbiased explanation of adoption methods
  2. Resources to help you develop a legally secure adoption plan
  3. Explanations of your rights and the adoption laws in your state or references to an adoption attorney who practices in your state or internationally
  4. An assessment of the risks involved, including determining what costs are legally permissible
  5. Clarification of options for post-placement arrangements, if any, with birth parents

There are different types of adoptions including domestic adoptions, agency adoptions, private and same-sex adoptions, stepparent adoptions, and other means of adding to your family. Working with our attorneys, we can develop a plan for a process that is best for you and your situation.

Knowing which adoption route is best for you is important before our attorneys can help representing you throughout the adoption process. It is important to consult with an attorney prior to beginning your adoption process so the different ways you can adopt are fully explained and your questions can be answered particularly about the laws surrounding your specific situation.

  • An international adoption is an adoption of a child born in a foreign country, which requires additional paperwork with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
  • A domestic agency adoption allows you to adopt through a licensed child-placing agency, public or private. Agency adoption is a two-step process: the termination of parental rights from the birth parents and then, the agency consenting to the adoption by the adoptive parents.
  • A private or independent adoption is a direct placement between the birth mother and the adoptive parent and the laws can vary.

Understanding which method of adding to your family through adoption is an important process and our attorneys want to help guide you through the process as seamlessly as possible.