Adoptions

We have three skilled and qualified attorneys who practice in the area of adoption law. Our attorneys are experienced in assisting couples, individuals, relatives and non-relatives in completing the adoption process. We provide compassionate and comprehensive representation to assist our client in navigating what can be a confusing and emotional event. We have represented clients locally, nationally and internationally in all aspects of adoption, including contested adoptions and non-contested agency adoptions, step-parent adoptions and non-relative adoptions.

“As a litigator in all areas of family law, adoptions provide me with some of the most rewarding outcomes. There is nothing more gratifying for me, as an attorney, than helping my clients provide a loving, permanent home for a child who needs one. “

Attorney Nancy J. Frazier

Contact one of our attorneys to discuss your needs in the following areas:

International / Foreign Adoptions: If you adopted a child in a foreign country and need to conduct a re-adoption proceeding which allows adoptive parents to receive an Ohio Adoption Decree and an Ohio Birth Certificate or if you need assistance in locating an eligible child abroad, please contact us. The foreign decree of adoption must have been granted 6 months prior to filing the Petition For Re-adoption

Private or Agency Adoptions: Adoptions which involve individuals who are not related to the child are known as private adoptions. We represent clients who are in the process of adoption and need assistance in locating a private agency, obtaining a homestudy and filing the necessary documents. An agency adoption occurs when a child is in the custody of a public or private adoption agency and is subsequently placed for adoption. The agency adoption procedure may be initiated in several manners (e.g.: filing a Placement Application or filing a Petition for Adoption after a custody or guardianship order has been in place for six months). An adoption petition of this kind requires that the petitioner (client) be represented by an attorney.

Step Parent and/or Relative Adoption: The non-custodial parent must either consent to the adoption by a step parent or relative or the Court must find the consent of the non-custodial parent is not necessary based upon their failure to communicate with and/or support the child for a period of time defined by the statute. The child must be in the home for 6 months before finalization.

A home study must be completed by a Court approved agency before the hearing date. Our attorneys can provide you with a list of approved agencies and guide you through the steps required in these cases, including preparation of all forms and documents and attending all necessary court hearings.

Our adoption attorneys: Nancy J. Frazier, Sybil B. Mullin and Robert M. Smyth.