Ringgold, LA asked in Adoption and Family Law for Louisiana

Q: Do I need an attorney? My husband wants to adopt my son and the biological dad is willing to relinquish his rights.

The biological dad lives in California and hasn't had anything to do with my son for 9 years. My husband and I live in Louisiana. We don't know if there's anyway we can represent ourselves, or if we just have to have an attorney.

Related Topics:
3 Lawyer Answers
Douglas Lee Bryan
Douglas Lee Bryan
Answered
  • Family Law Lawyer
  • Marksville, LA
  • Licensed in Louisiana

A: I strongly recommend hiring a lawyer to handle your intrafamily adoption. The requirements for an adoption are specific, and a simple mistake can make the adoption invalid. Intrafamily adoptions are quicker and generally are less costly than a private adoption.

Stephen Rue
PREMIUM
Stephen Rue
Answered
  • Family Law Lawyer
  • Kenner, LA
  • Licensed in Louisiana

A: Yes I strongly recommend it.

Ellen Cronin Badeaux
Ellen Cronin Badeaux
Answered
  • Family Law Lawyer
  • Covington, LA
  • Licensed in Louisiana

A: If you represent yourselves, you run the risk of botching a life changing event. You should hire an adoption lawyer.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.