If you’re considering adopting a child from another country, there are important legal requirements and procedures to be aware of. If you utilize an international adoption agency, they will likely take care of the majority of these steps and help you through the process, but it’s still a good idea to know about what needs to be done to ensure all requirements are met and your adoption goes smoothly. Having a lawyer on your side to advice you and make sure all the details are taken care of is absolutely essential to a successful adoption.
Get a Trustworthy Lawyer
First, it is recommended that you contact a lawyer who specializes in international adoption, such as Kendall Gkikas & Mitchell. Our sister-brother lawyer duo has helped hundreds of couples through the adoption process through the years, and they will handle your case with perfect confidence and precision.
It’s important to find a lawyer you can trust to make sure you have gone through the proper procedure, including filling out the necessary paperwork in the ideal way. If you don’t have your paperwork done well and submitted within a specific time frame, your adoption may be delayed.
The first step to your international adoption after finding a lawyer is filling out all the necessary forms. At Kendall Gkikas & Mitchell, we will gladly provide all the requisite paperwork and walk you through how to fill it out, meticulously ensuring every detail is correctly done.
File paperwork and pay fees
Then we (or the international adoption agency) will file the paperwork with the county clerk on our behalf. Certain court fees will have to be paid—the amounts vary from county to county, but we can tell you how much to expect to pay depending on which county you live in.
Interview
In the state of California and in many states nationwide, applicants for adoption must submit to an interview and investigation process. Depending on which county you live in, this will be accomplished by a court investigator, licensed social worker, or licensed family therapist. We can prepare you for the interview and investigation at Kendall Gkikas & Mitchell, discussing sample questions that may be asked of you and advising you on how to present yourself in the best light possible. We are committed to helping families thrive at Kendall Gkikas & Mitchell, and this is a pivotal part of the adoption process in California.
Get a court date
When the court receives the investigator’s report, the court clerk will establish and inform you of when the adoption hearing will be. Attend the adoption hearing and make sure you bring the child you plan to adopt with you. You may choose to bring a camera to document this important day in your and your new adoptive child’s life. It’s a big day—celebrate every moment!
Kendall Gkikas & Mitchell is a superb choice for your international adoption. We’ll help you through this important process, and always look out for the best interests of the child. To get started today, call 909-482-1422 or email info@parents4children.com to set up an initial consultation.
