On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Family Law on Thursday, April 30, 2015.
Adoption is a noble and wonderful legal option that pairs prospective parents with orphaned children, often leading to a better life for the child and increased happiness and purpose for the parent or parents. Of course acquiring legal custody of a child who is not biologically tied to you is no small matter, and the state of Missouri naturally takes the adoption process very seriously. If you are looking to adopt a child, here are a few things you should know.
Missouri law takes measures to ensure that the child will be well cared for after an adoption, meaning that prospective characters must be able to provide for the child and educate them, as well as have good moral character. In order to determine these traits, an investigation called a Home Study is undertaken, which details the life the child may have if adopted and provides a background for the child’s upbringing for the prospective new parents.
Even if a Home Study is conducted and it is determined that the adoption would be healthy and safe for the child, there are still many legal hoops to jump through. With a few exceptions, the child’s biological parents must provide written consent to relinquish custody of their child, and even once custody is transferred, it will be approximately six months before the adoption is officially finalized.
Existing online are lists exceptions to the written consent requirement, as well as more detailed information about the adoption process in Missouri. If you are moving forward with an adoption, it is in your best interests to consult with an attorney in order to make sure that you have fulfilled all of the legal requirements for smooth adoption process.
