Private Adoptions
Legally Adopting Children Privately In Alberta
Private Adoption Lawyers in Calgary
Adoption lawyers lawyers at Kahane Law office, in Calgary, Alberta can assist in the area of private adoptions. This can be a complicated area of law that is often misunderstood. If, when finished reading, you need more information: Call 403-225-8810.
What Are Private Adoptions?
A private adoption is one where an individual who wishes to be the parent of a child, applies to the court to become the legal parent of that child. Private adoption lawyers make these applications on your behalf. Due to the nature of private adoptions, it is important make the application properly.
Who Can Privately Adopt In Calgary, Alberta?
Almost anyone can privately adopt in Alberta in the right circumstance. Most often private adoptions are done by step-parents wishing to adopt their step-children. That said, other family members often adopt other family members so that they child is legally their own. This process is meaningful and loving.
Private Adoption Lawyers Review Eligibility
Included in our initial screening of an individual wishing to adopt, we screen for eligibility. Four main requirements exist when an individual is looking to adopt a child. For example, in Alberta these include:
- the person wishing to adopt must be at least 18 years old;
- Alberta law only allows Albertan residents to adopt;
- The home adopting the child into it must be domestically stable, and lastly
- The individual(s) adopting the child must demonstrate financial stability.
Circumstances For Private Adoption In Alberta
A step-parent may formally adopt a child with the consent of the child’s surviving birth parent(s) or legal guardians. Likewise, an adult who has the care of a child through private placement for a period of time may apply to adopt the child. This may be in circumstances where the parent(s) has/have placed the child in the care of someone they know, such as grandparents, relatives, or friends. Please note that it is illegal to actively engage in the placement of children for adoption, unless you are a registered agency.
A person in the place of a parent may also apply, though private adoption lawyers, for adoption of an adult, with the adult’s consent.
Private Adoptions Through Child Services
If you are seeking to adopt a child through child services you will need to contact the government agency in your jurisdiction. If you are seeking to adopt a baby from an unknown mother, you will need to apply through one of the following registered adoption agencies:
- Adoption By Choice
- Adoption Options
- Christian Adoption Services
- LDS Family Services
Private Adoption Lawyers: The Private Adoption Process
Adoption requires an application to the Court of Queen’s Bench, typically by way of desk application. A number of forms and documents are required. Once completed and file at the courthouse, your next step involves serving those papers on all required parties. The parties that service requirements exist for vary depending on the exact situation surrounding the adoption. The private adoption lawyers at Kahane Law Office are able to assist you in the preparation of the necessary forms and documents, walk with you through the process, and answer your questions.
The Different Judicial Orders
When a judge hears a application for adoption in Alberta, she or he then makes a decision regarding the adoption. As this application is a desk application (and, in mot instances, not one where the parties attend in front of a judge), the clerks then mail the decision to all relevant parties. Judicial orders and decisions include, for example:
- dismissing the application if the judge believes the parties fail to meet the minimum requirements;
- order a live, in person hearing for the court to hear from all relevant parties directly;
- request the preparation of a “Home Study Report” to allow the court more information about the home environment of the family wanting to welcome the child into it;
- request any further information the court deems it requires in order to make a proper decision in the best interest of the child and family; and lastly
- Grant an Adoption Order allowing the family to become the legal parent(s) of the child.
Hiring Private Adoption Lawyers In Calgary
The process to adoption includes a detailed and specific application process. Let us help you include another individual to love in your family. To schedule a consultation with a member of our family law team to discuss your private adoption situation, please contact our experienced family law team at Kahane Law Office. You can reach us locally in Calgary at 403-225-8810 (toll-free at 1-877-225-8817), or for faster service, email us directly here.