Jacksonville Adoption Attorney

Family & Relative Adoptions in Jacksonville

If you are a relative seeking to adopt the child of a family member, or if you are a parent who desires to terminate your parental rights and relinquish your child custody, a Jacksonville family lawyer at the Law Offices of Jason K.S. Porter, P.A. is committed to answering your questions about family adoption. We can protect your legal rights and guide you through the adoption process.

Challenging domestic situations may require the adoption of a child by a family member. A grandparent, great-grandparent, aunt, uncle, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister may decide to step in and seek the adoption of a blood relative. Under certain circumstances, a step-parent may be granted permission to adopt the child of his or her deceased or living spouse.

Guidance Through the Adoption Process

In Florida, relative adoption is a relatively easy process. It can be done more quickly and costs less than the same process in many other states. The home study, recommendations and reports that are needed in non-relative adoptions are waived when a child is adopted by a relative. There is also no waiting period. The streamlining of the adoption process was done with the goal of providing children with a permanent, stable home life. In most cases, the adoption of a child by a loved one the child knows achieves this goal.

Termination of Parental Rights

In order for a relative adoption to occur, there must be a termination of parental rights. We will petition the court so that the rights of the child's biological parents are terminated, and at the same time petition for the granting of a family member adoption. In some cases the consent of the biological parents is freely given, in other cases the court must decide to terminate the rights of the biological parents. Both of these matters may be heard by the judge at the same hearing.

As experienced legal advocates, we are committed to doing what is best for families and their children. Contact our Jacksonville family law attorneys today to begin and get your questions answered!