At Butler Giraudo & Meister, P.C., we assist stepparents, grandparents, relatives and others who wish to adopt a child. You can count on a Tazewell County adoption lawyer here at our firm to provide you with the support, advice and representation you need throughout the adoption process. Contact our experienced legal team today to learn more about how we can help you.
Tazewell County Adoption Lawyer | Making It Easier To Grow Your Family
Adoption is a statutory procedure under state law in which a permanent and legal parent-child relationship is established between a child and one or two adults who are not the child’s biological parents. Frequently, adoptions are used to give legal weight to a close relationship that already exists. It is important to hire a knowledgeable Tazewell County family law attorney to guide you through the adoption process in order to avoid the pitfalls that can occur in this very personal and emotional proceeding. Time is of the essence in every adoption proceeding, and our attorneys strive to provide services that facilitate the interests of our client while maintaining a concern for the child’s best interests.
Stepparent Adoptions And Adoptions By Relatives
In most adoptions, there is already a relationship in place between the person seeking to adopt and the child. A related child is defined by Illinois law as a child to whom one or both adoptive parents are related as parent, grandparent, brother, sister, stepparent, step-grandparent, stepbrother, stepsister, uncle, aunt, great-uncle, great-aunt or cousin of the first degree.
Additionally, Illinois law allows the adoption of a child by two unrelated persons, either of the same gender or opposite genders. This is typically called a co-parent adoption.
The parental rights of the legal or biological parents of the child being adopted must be terminated before the court can consider whether the adoption of the child is in the best interests of that child. In most adoptions, the biological parents voluntarily consent in writing to the adoption; however, there are cases in which the adoption is highly contested. In other cases, the court may determine that the consent of a parent, usually an alleged father, is not necessary because he has failed to take the necessary steps to establish his parentage, or may terminate his rights by default if he fails to respond to notice of the adoption. We have substantial experience representing people in uncontested and contested adoptions.
While we are dedicated to helping our clients resolve family disputes amicably, we understand that this is not always possible. If litigation becomes necessary, we will be ready to aggressively advocate for your rights.
Same-Sex Adoptions
Illinois permits adoptions by same-sex partners. Our attorneys have represented same-sex couples in adoptions, and welcome the opportunity to do so.
These couples may work with an agency to acquire their child, one of the parties may have given birth via sperm donation, or a surrogate may have carried the child for the couple. Even if one partner is the biological parent or was the egg or sperm donor of the child, the other (adopting) parent must legally establish parentage rights to the child.
In the event the couple’s relationship ends either by choice or due to the death of the biological parent, the nonbiological parent will have parentage rights only if adoption has been properly completed. This is true even if that parent had been actively involved in raising the child from its birth.
Same-sex couples with children are advised to take precautions, such as completing a same-sex partner adoption, to ensure that both parents’ rights are legally protected. Under Illinois law, gay and lesbian couples may participate in a second-parent adoption. This allows the nonbiological parent of the child to become a legal parent and establish rights that will be protected by law. In addition to protecting the non-biological parent’s rights, adoption also protects the child because it affords the child the opportunity to have health insurance through the non-biological parent, and also grants the child inheritance rights in the event the nonbiological parent dies without a valid last will and testament.
Butler Giraudo & Meister, P.C. | Experienced in All Kinds of Surrogacy Matters
Many Illinois residents are turning to surrogacy to help grow their families. The surrogacy process involves many complex legal issues that require the help of family law attorneys who are experienced in surrogacy matters.
At Butler Giraudo & Meister, P.C., we understand the emotional and legal issues that can arise in surrogacy situations. We provide knowledgeable counsel to any party involved in the surrogacy process.
Infertility And Surrogacy
Surrogacy is an excellent option for couples who are infertile or otherwise incapable of having a child on their own. Infertility is defined as the result of a disease (an interruption, cessation or disorder of body functions, systems or organs) that prevents conception or makes it impossible to carry a pregnancy through to the delivery of a child. One in eight couples in the U.S. is affected by infertility, but surrogacy allows these couples to realize their dream of having a child.
If you and your partner are seeking to have a child through surrogacy, or if you have agreed to be a gestational carrier, sperm donor or egg donor, please contact our Central Illinois law firm today.
Surrogacy Laws In Illinois
Surrogacy in Illinois is governed by the Illinois Gestational Surrogacy Act (GSA), passed in 2005. Under this law, both the gestational carrier and the intended parents are required to sign certified statements and agree to the parentage of the child following birth. This results in the intended parents obtaining parental rights immediately upon the birth of the child, including having their names listed on the child’s birth certificate.
We will carefully prepare all necessary documents to address your needs and help you finalize your surrogacy agreement. This includes drafting surrogacy agreements and egg or sperm donor agreements, as well as ensuring your surrogacy contract is compliant with the requirements of the GSA.
Many Illinois residents are turning to surrogacy to help grow their families. The surrogacy process involves many complex legal issues that require the help of family law attorneys who are experienced in surrogacy matters.
At Butler Giraudo & Meister, P.C., we understand the emotional and legal issues that can arise in surrogacy situations. We provide knowledgeable counsel to any party involved in the surrogacy process.
Contact a Tazewell County Adoption Lawyer
There are many ways to adopt a child. A surrogate or a sperm donation can help a couple who cannot have children on their own. An agency can assist an individual or a couple in building a family. In every case, however, it is important to establish the parental rights of both parents. We can guide you through the adoption process and work to protect your rights as a parent. Contact Butler, Giraudo & Meister, P.C. today to schedule your initial consultation with our competent legal team.