Get free answers to your Adoption legal questions from lawyers in your area.
Your current state is Virginia
I have a custody order from Nebraska that gives my ex 4 weeks in the summer, 4 days for holidays, and allows FaceTime every day. They haven't seen my child in 4 years or spoken to them in 2. Initially, I was granted a relocation order to move out of state, but I am returning soon. I have sole... View More 
answered on Apr 11, 2025
If you are not following the terms of the Court order, then it is possible that the other party will file a contempt and that the Court will find you in contempt.
However, even if the party files for contempt, the party requesting the contempt finding has to show that you are in willful... View More
I am a 15-year-old who was adopted by my uncle and aunt. Due to a violent incident where my uncle threw me around, I had to call the police. They relocated me to my grandma's house. My uncle and aunt took my phone, and my grandma won't let me talk to the police or ask questions about my... View More
answered on Apr 7, 2025
You can ALWAYS call the police. ALWAYS.
If you are in danger you can ALWAYS reach out to Police, Fire and other State Agents as there are protections for you due to your age.
A teacher is another safe pathway, as they are trained how to deal with these issue and get the right... View More
I have full legal and full physical custody of my children, and their birth father has supervised visitation rights two hours once a month, per a court order. However, he has not used these visits since 2022 and only saw the children once that year. He has expressed objections to someone else... View More
answered on Mar 31, 2025
The step parent adoption you are referencing requires the consent of both legal/biological parents, however the court can waive that requirement where it is alleged and proven that the non-consenting parent has abandoned the children, as that term is defined under Florida statues.
The... View More
I fostered a child for over a year, but the child has now been returned to their biological parents. During the fostering period, there were no legal proceedings to terminate the biological parents' rights, and I haven’t tried to adopt the child. I would like to know if I can obtain parental... View More
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answered on Mar 25, 2025
I understand that this is likely a very emotional situation for you, especially after forming a strong bond with the child during the foster placement. In New York, however, the law gives significant weight to the rights of biological parents, particularly when those rights have not been terminated... View More
My husband recently died without a will, and I'm in the process of selling our home, which was jointly owned by us. My husband maintained contact with his biological daughter after her adoption by her stepfather, but he did not provide any support after the adoption. There are no other... View More
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answered on Mar 5, 2025
It depends. If your spouse left the house to only you in a will, no one other than you has a right to the house.
However if he left it in shares to multiple people under the will (including the child that he gave up for adoption), multiple people would have a right to it, including the... View More
My husband recently died without a will, and I'm in the process of selling our home, which was jointly owned by us. My husband maintained contact with his biological daughter after her adoption by her stepfather, but he did not provide any support after the adoption. There are no other... View More
answered on Mar 5, 2025
First, it depends on the language in the deed. If you held the property as joint tenants with right of survivorship, you own 100% of the property without the need for probate. If you held the property as tenants in common, the laws of intestacy take over, and the biological daughter's adoption... View More
My husband recently died without a will, and I'm in the process of selling our home, which was jointly owned by us. My husband maintained contact with his biological daughter after her adoption by her stepfather, but he did not provide any support after the adoption. There are no other... View More
answered on Mar 5, 2025
To answer this question specifically, we'd have to know more. Specifically:
1) The deed to the house matters. If we could see that, we'd know if your husband's estate is even involved. In other words, if you're listed as "joint tenant with rights of... View More
My child's mother has requested my consent for her spouse to adopt my son in California. My son was unlawfully taken by her from Nevada, and she successfully petitioned for full custody in California. Attempts to contact her over the years were ignored. They have filed an adoption petition,... View More
answered on Feb 21, 2025
You are either consenting to the adoption or you are not. Once the child is adopted by the step-Dad, you will lose your parental rights and lose your right to make any demands including for visitation. If you don't want that to happen then you should contest the adoption. In some... View More
I am the mother of a child for whom my child's aunt currently has court-ordered custody. The child's father, who is her brother, is willing to sign over his parental rights to her. I am supportive of this arrangement and do not want to give up my parental rights. Is it possible for my... View More
answered on Feb 14, 2025
The short answer is no. A child cannot be adopted without a termination of BOTH parent's rights. However, a termination depending on the circumstances may not be that hard to obtain with abandonment being the easiest route under the Adoption statutes. It would be wise for you to consult an... View More
The police and CPS have not been able to help my family situation, and it's to the point where I will go insane if I can't get out. I have a safe place to go, and jobs lined up, and I know that in New York, sometimes 17 year olds have more freedom than in other states. My only other... View More
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answered on Feb 13, 2025
The simple answer is yes The law in New York I. Parent child family Court proceedings is a person in need of Supervision or a PINS petition. The court does not have PINS jurisdiction over a 17 year old. Therefore no mechanism exists to supervise a 17 year old by his parents. Thus you can move... View More
His parents dropped him off and have excuse after excuse of why they cannot get him. At this point I do not want him with them because they cannot care for him but I do not know what my options are legally.
answered on Feb 28, 2025
The court may order termination of the parent-child relationship if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence:
(1) that the parent has:
(A) voluntarily left the child alone or in the possession of another not the parent and expressed an intent not to return;
(B)... View More
CPS removing child from home and what they can and cannot say and do to the PRFC regarding the removal and treatment towards the parent
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answered on Dec 25, 2024
If a child is believed to be a victim of abuse or neglect, the state may intervene and remove the child even temporarily until the threat can be more fully assessed. Parents who have been contacted by child welfare or who have had a child removed should contact a qualified juvenile deprived... View More
Both girls were removed almost 2 years ago one of them is with the biological father the 2 year old is being bounced around and I her biological grandmother would like to have her here in Florida but my husband has these two thirty year old restraining orders . Can I still get her?
answered on Dec 11, 2024
It would be irresponsible for any family law attorney to give you a suggested answer to your question without a whole lot more information, especially since you said that you live in Florida and presumably the grandchildren live in New Jersey.
My suggestion is that you schedule a... View More
How can I challenge the legality of the adoption of my son?
Which was finalized in Washoe County without proper notice or due process, despite my role as his primary caregiver?
How can I seek to vacate the adoption order based on procedural irregularities, fraud, and... View More
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answered on Dec 9, 2024
Legal issues surround challenging the legitimacy of your son's adoption particularly in light of allegations of fraud, deception, lack of appropriate notice, and violations of due process rights. To properly negotiate this process, one need speak with a Nevada family law attorney versed in... View More
How can I challenge the legality of the adoption of my son?
Which was finalized in Washoe County without proper notice or due process, despite my role as his primary caregiver?
How can I seek to vacate the adoption order based on procedural irregularities, fraud, and... View More
answered on Dec 8, 2024
Before an adoption there is usually a Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) of the existing parent(s). Very likely what you are seeking to do is reverse the TPR order. How you would do this depends on the circumstances. If you were unaware of the hearing and did not attend, or there was a reason... View More
I have had the child 5 years, adopted 2 years now. Child not bonding with me or family. Behavior and mental not so good. Been in mental health services from day 1. Refuse to take meds.
answered on Dec 5, 2024
Adoptions can be reversed (aka "vacated") under certain limited circumstances. These limited circumstances are statutory and can be found at Family Code §9100 et. seq. Such limited circumstances include if the adopted child shows evidence of a developmental disability or mental... View More
removed from NJ. On Nov 25 the adoption agency opposed decision as her guardian & ICPC and had her removed to live with adoptive parent in Georgia
How can they over rule judge's order?
answered on Dec 4, 2024
No competent lawyer worth his salt could answer your question without reviewing the underlying order and pleadings from the trial court and the submissions to the appellate court and its order and its statement of reasons. My suggestion is that you retain a family law attorney to review all of that... View More
I am 16 years old and I buy my food and phone with my money and my parents keep taking it when it arrives so i was wondering if they can take my stuff even tho i buy it with my money. Also My dad threatended with a knife when i backed him up because he got close and he was heated and my counselor... View More
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answered on Nov 16, 2024
I'm saddened to hear this is occurring in your household. Abuse of any kind is absolutely never condoned by the law. If your dad is chastising you by striking you with foreign objects or makeshift weapons, you should contact the authorities including your local police and local department of... View More
answered on Nov 8, 2024
Yes. However, the if the child is disabled, you could file a petition for guardianship, conservatorship, limited guardianship, limited conservatorship and/or a combination those representative roles.
"Disabled" means a legal disability, not a medical disability, and is measured... View More
I began testifying in a violation fact finding trial brought on by CPS. Suddenly, the judge stopped me and had a private meeting with attorneys. My attorney then suggested to me that I admit guilt as it is favorable to the judge I said I didn’t want to because I would be silenced and I want... View More
answered on Nov 6, 2024
In a neglect case CPS usually requests an admission so as to try to start the Respondent to repair their relationship with the child through social services such as parenting classes, rehab or whatever is required depending on the accusations. You do not have to admit and can request a hearing.... View More
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