Adoption

Adoption Process in MN: What You Need to Know

Adoption can be a complicated process. Before we dive into the different kinds of adoption, it’s essential to know about one of the first decisions you’ll make: whether to have a closed or open adoption.

In a closed adoption, the biological parents don’t interact with the adoptive parents during or after the adoptive process. The court seals all records about the biological parents after they surrender their child for adoption. Sometimes, the child gains access to those documents after they turn 18. If you are adopting a child from a family member you believe is unfit to be the parent, you may wish to complete a closed adoption. However, an open adoption allows the biological parent to maintain some form of relationship with the child as they grow up.

If you are a step-parent adopting your spouse’s child, an open adoption allows the other parent the option to continue playing a role in the child’s life. If the other parent is unfit or has proved that their presence is a detriment to the child, then a closed adoption may be the best course of action.

Grandparent or Step-Parent Adoption MN

Working through the adoption process can be tricky even when everyone is in agreement and working toward the same goal. We’re here to help smooth the way for a step-parent or grandparent adoption, based on our experiences with it. This arrangement is something we’ve been seeing more and more of, and we know how important it is to you that it is done right.

Usually when a step-parent or grandparent adopts a child, they must complete a three step process that includes:

• Terminating the biological parent’s parental rights
• Filing the appropriate adoption documents
• Participating in a court hearing

Our Minnesota adoption lawyers are well-versed in these types of adoptions and can help you ensure you don’t skip any important steps.

Perhaps the most difficult part of this process is getting the biological parent to give up their parental rights. Even if they do not play an active role in the child’s life, the parent(s) may hesitate to complete this document. However, the party seeking adoption can petition the court for an involuntary termination of parental rights.

How Johnson/Turner Legal Helps Parents Adopt

At Johnson/Turner Legal, we use a multi-step process to help guide clients through the adoption process. Earlier, we wrote about how we assign a variety of professionals to every case. Our adoption strategy allows all of the professionals working on your case, from our Minnesota adoption lawyer to our life coach, to play a valuable role in the process. Here are the steps we take:

1. Get consent from biological parents. In most adoptions, the biological parents must sign a consent form. We’ll help usher them through the process.
2. Initiate court proceedings. We’ll help you file the Petition for Adoption and any other documents. If it’s a family adoption, we may also petition the court to forego the home study, since the adoptee already knows the adopters.
3. Criminal background check. The background check can take months to complete, so we’ll help you get started ahead of time.
4. Adoption hearing. We’ll be at your side for the final adoption hearing in the courtroom.
5. Judgment and decree for adoption. After the adoption hearing, we’ll work with the judge to sign the Decree for Adoption and finalize it.
6. Termination of non-adoptive parent’s rights. If necessary, we’ll take steps to eliminate the biological parent’s rights.
7. New birth certificate issued. When all is said and done, we’ll help you get a new birth certificate for your adoptee.

We know that being a great parent doesn’t require being a biological parent. Some of the greatest moms and dads aren’t biological parents at all. We’ll help you find peace of mind and shape your family through the adoption process