Kane County, Illinois Adoption Attorneys

Compassionate Adoption Lawyers Serving Geneva, Batavia, St. Charles, and Northern Illinois

Representing individuals and couples in adoption cases is one of the most rewarding parts of practicing family law. Helping a family come together through adoption is a very special experience. Getting to the day when an adoption is finalized, however, can involve some legal and emotional ups and downs. With so much at stake, it is important to make sure you have an attorney who is experienced in handling adoptions on your team. At Shaw Sanders, P.C., we provide potential adoptive parents with valuable legal advice and fierce advocacy. Our St. Charles adoption lawyers will handle your case with compassion, working tirelessly to facilitate a new addition to your family.

Legal Representation for Adoptions in Kane County

If you are interested in adopting a child, there are multiple different avenues you can go through. Whichever route you choose, our attorneys can assist you with representation and counsel.

Many adoption cases occur within the family, typically in the form of stepparent adoption wherein a parent’s spouse wants to adopt his or her child. This may be a simple process if the child’s other biological parent is deceased, but if not, the biological parent’s rights to the child will have to be terminated first. A biological parent can voluntarily sign away their parental rights, or their rights can be involuntarily terminated if the court finds the parent unfit to take care of the child.

We can also assist with other kinds of adoptions, including:

• Relative Adoptions – Adoptions occurring within a family are fairly common, such as adoptions by grandparents, aunts, uncles, and siblings.
• Co-Parent Adoptions – Adoptions between unwed parents, sometimes undertaken by same-sex couples.
• Agency Adoptions – Adoptions that are facilitated by a government or private adoption agency.
• Independent Adoptions – Adoptions that occur directly between an adoptive parent and a birth parent without an intermediary.

In the event that your adoption is contested, having a skilled Kane County adoption attorney at your side can be incredibly helpful. At Shaw Sanders, P.C., we can assist with any legal disputes that may arise during the adoption process, helping you maneuver around potential pitfalls.

Preparing for a Home Study

During the adoption process, it is likely that you will have to participate in a home study conducted by a social worker. The purpose of the home study is to make sure that the child ends up in a safe home that suits their individual needs. People in the household, such as your spouse or other family members, may be interviewed so that the social worker has a clear perspective about life inside the home. The social worker will also ask you different questions about your background and your reasons for wanting to adopt. Additionally, all adults in the household will be subject to a background check. A criminal record might not outright disqualify you from adoption, but crimes of violence and especially crimes against children will be taken seriously in the social worker's assessment.

The social worker may also note the condition of the house, looking out for potential hazards to the child's safety. Our attorneys can give you an idea of what to expect from a home study and help you prepare in advance of the social worker's visit.

Contact a St. Charles, IL Adoption Attorney

If you are in need of experienced legal representation for an adoption, contact Shaw Sanders, P.C. today. We can be reached by phone at 630-584-5550 or through our online contact form. We offer free consultations in which you can discuss your concerns and questions with a Kane County adoption attorney. Our office is located in St. Charles, Illinois, and we handle family law concerns for clients across Kane County.