Adoption Solicitors

Deciding on adoption can be one of the most selfless acts a person can do. Giving a child a forever home can transform their life – and yours. However, getting to the completion of adoption can be a long and challenging process for all involved. Our adoption lawyers will give you the right legal support and advice to make the process as smooth as possible.

What is the adoption process?

The adoption process can take a long time from start to end but it is important to fully understand the stages that you will go through. Our adoption solicitors will be there to assist you at every stage.

Stage 1 – Exploration

All adoption journeys start with researching the road ahead; your journey starts with reading the information, researching agencies, and speaking to experts and people who have made the journey previously. This will allow you to make a decision if adoption is right for you.

Stage 2 – Registration and Checks

When you have found an adoption agency you are happy to proceed with, it’s time to start the formal application and evaluation process, which includes things like references and background checks (including DBS checks) on you taking place. This stage should take no longer than 2 months.

Stage 3 – Assessment, Training & Preparation

A social worker will meet and work closely with you and your family. During this time they will assess your strengths (and weaknesses), and offer courses and training that will prepare you before presenting it in a report to the Adoption Panel. This stage usually takes around four months.

Stage 4 – Finding a child

Your chosen adoption agency will work closely with local authorities to find the right child for you, your family and your situation. The agency will discuss the suitable children with you and a matching panel will then make the final decision.

Stage 5 – Becoming a family

Once you have been matched with a child, you will spend time getting to know the child with the support of your social workers. This will happen across a series of day visits and short stays, leading up to the child moving in. After the child has been with you for a little while you will be able to apply to the courts to become their legal parent.

What does an adoption lawyer do?

Our adoption legal services team assist people throughout the adoption process, from initial applications, to process guidance to legal representation in the family court. We help many people in different adoption situations, and welcome children, into their families, including

Domestic adoption

– Cases where a child is placed by a Local Authority or a UK Adoption Agency

Private family adoption

– Cases where you wish to adopt a step-children or close relative

Same-sex couple adoption

Surrogacy

– Cases where a person has a child through surrogacy but does not meet the requirements for a Parental Order, we can help apply for an Adoption Order.

Assisting with international adoption

Adoption Orders made abroad

– Cases, where an Adoption Order made outside of the UK, must be recognised

Domicile

– Providing advice on whether adopting parents are entitled to adopt in the UK

Re-establishing contact

– Providing advice for contacting a birth parent, birth family members or the adopted child

Post-adoption contact cases

Problems involving post-adoption support from a local authority

How Henry Hyams adoption solicitors can help with our adoption legal services

Our specialist adoption lawyers have the experience and expertise to guide you through the process of adopting a child, either from within the UK or internationally. Our adoption solicitors understand how difficult the adoption process can be and as part of our adoption legal services, we will walk you through the process. 
Should you have any questions or would like to talk to one of our adoption solicitors in Leeds, please contact us on the email below or contact us on 0113 2432288.

Contact our Leeds co-parenting solicitors:

family@henryhyams.com