Daytona Beach Adoption Lawyers
Let Our Experienced Legal Team Help You Start or Build Your Family
Adopting a child can be an amazing event and an opportunity to start or increase the size of your family. However, the adoption process in Florida has many complexities. If you are interested in adoption, it is imperative to know your rights and obligations prior to filing for adoption.
At Buckmaster & Ellzey, our Daytona Beach family law attorneys are dedicated to helping our clients understand state adoptions laws and ensure you are prepared to become a new parent to a child. Throughout the legal process, we will ensure your rights and best interests are protected from beginning to end. Do not hesitate to let us help you provide a child with the best life possible.
Florida Adoptions Laws
Any person—whether it’s a minor child or adult—is eligible for adoption. Adoption court judges must take into consideration the child’s best interests when deciding on adoption matters. State law requires interested parties must be a Florida resident for at least 90 days.
Married couples and unmarried individuals can adopt a child in Florida. While LGBT individuals can adopt, same-sex couples are not allowed.
There are two types of adoptions: open adoption and closed adoption. Open adoptions occur when the adoptive parents establish a relationship with the birth mother or father, while closed adoptions happen when the adoptive parents do not wish to contact or meet the birth parent(s). Interested parties can adopt a child directly from the birth parents, through an agency, or engage in stepparent or close relative adoption.
Relative adoption in Florida is when a child is adopted by a grandparent, sibling, aunt, or uncle. Relative adoptions can happen with the parent's permission or without if a judge finds the parents unfit
Interested parties need to undergo a comprehensive screening process, which can consist of the following steps:
- Criminal background check
- Home visits by one or several adoption officials
- Interviews by one or several adoption officials
- Financial and medical reviews
- References
- Counseling
Request a Consultation Today!
Our Daytona Beach family lawyers can guide you through the intricacies of the adoption process to ensure you get the results you want. No matter what legal obstacle you face, we will do our best to overcome them. Do not hesitate to let us help you bring a child the joy of being part of a family.
For more information, contact us and discuss your case with our firm.
