Charlotte Adoption Attorneys

Miller Bowles Law can provide you with a Charlotte adoption attorney with the experience, skill, and dedication to help with your North Carolina adoption case. Call us at (980) 321-5590 or contact us to schedule a consultation Charlotte adoption attorney today.

Adoption is the creation by law of the relationship of parent and child between two individuals. North Carolina law provides for both minors and adults to be adopted by other adults. Spouses cannot adopt each other.

One of the most common types of adoption is a Stepparent Adoption. Stepparent adoptions can occur when the other biological parent’s parental rights are terminated, relinquished, or if the other parent has passed away. In Stepparent adoptions, the stepparent files the petition for adoption of the minor child, and the stepparent’s spouse will file a consent to adoption.

In a stepparent adoption, the intent of the biological parent is to maintain his or her parental rights while extending the rights and responsibilities of parenthood to another adult already acting in a parental role. With the assistance of a Charlotte adoption attorney you can even ask the Court to change the minor child’s last name if you wish. A new birth certificate will be issued for the adoptee, and certain rights are created as between the stepparent and child.

A decree of adoption effects a complete substitution of families for all legal purposes, including inheritance and child support. A decree of adoption divests the former parents of all rights with respect to the adopted person. Simply stated, a decree of adoption cuts off the other parent’s side of the family tree, and replaces it with the stepparent’s family tree. It is as if the stepparent is the natural parent of the adopted child.

While a Court appearance is not always necessary, some families choose to participate in a final adoption hearing to act as a ceremonial adoption “birthday” for the adopted child. In any event, the creation of the parent-child relationship is a special one that should be entered into with great thought and care.

As the go-to Charlotte adoption attorney, it is our duty to help guide families through each step of the adoption process. An adopting family should rely on a true professional lawyer and their team for proper guidance. Miller Bowles Law can be that team of Charlotte adoption attorneys you can trust, contact us today.