Smyrna Adoption Lawyer

Growing your family through adoption is an exciting journey filled with joy and anticipation. However, as fulfilling this process can be for families in Smyrna, it often involves several lengthy legal steps and can be both financially and emotionally taxing. Whether you are a young family living in Pioneer Estates and hoping to adopt your first child, or are looking to adopt a child internationally to your home in the Young Subdivision, a Smyrna adoption lawyer can help.

Grow Your Family With the Help of Boss Law

Since 2004, Boss Law has been serving Middle Tennessee families through various legal situations, including those involving adoption. Attorney Mitchell Shannon is backed by over two decades of experience and is ready to deliver you the honest and strategic counsel necessary to pursue the family you are trying to build. We understand that adoption is a double-edged sword—both exciting and exhausting—and want you to know that we have got your back.

As a graduate of both Middle Tennessee State University and the Nashville School of Law, Mr. Shannon is familiar with the local legal landscape and has handled countless cases through the Rutherford County Chancery Court, where your adoption case will likely be held. At the core of our practice lies our wish to help families and individuals alike, and when it comes time to grow your family through the process of adoption, we are here to help.

Types of Adoption Available to Smyrna Families

Every year in the United States, 115,343 children are legally adopted. In 2022, 67.75% of adoptions were from foster care, and one in 35 children is typically adopted. A Boss Law, we are here to help you and your loved ones through various forms of adoption. It is important to understand which kind of adoption you are pursuing so that you can better understand the unique approach that will need to be taken.

At Boss Law, we have helped countless families just like yours achieve their adoption goals in the following types of adoptions available:

• Agency adoption. Across the state, there are both private and public agencies that are here to help adoptive parents connect with a child anywhere in the United States who is available to adopt. This is typically the most common avenue a family will take to adopt a child, and an attorney is here to help connect you with a licensed agency within the state of Tennessee if this is the route you wish to take.
• Stepparent adoption. If you are a stepparent hoping to make your relationship official with your spouse’s biological children, Boss Law is here to help. However, there are some cases of stepparent adoption that prove tricky if the other biological parent is still alive, as a common hurdle will be having to obtain the requisite consent from this individual.
• Private adoption. Rather than adopting through a public agency, you may be able to adopt a child directly from its birth mother. This can be done through a private adoption process, and the team at Boss Law is here to help ensure the entire process is done in a lawful manner and that all legal ends are tied up, so that no issues can arise in the future for your family.
• Relative adoption. In cases where a child’s parents are no longer able to care for that child, another relative may step in and adopt the child. This might include a grandparent, an aunt or uncle, cousins, or any other relatives who hope to adopt a related child into their family.
• International adoption. There are certain agencies that help families welcome a child into their home from across the world. If you are hoping to adopt internationally, the requirements, necessary documentation, and paperwork will be even more confusing and complicated than those involved in a domestic adoption. For this reason, it is crucial that you reach out to Boss Law, as our team is experienced in these adoption cases.
• Open adoption. In rare cases, the adopting family may choose to have an open adoption. In these cases, the biological birth parents of the child are allowed to maintain some form of contact with the child even once the adoption is finalized.

If you are hoping to adopt, or are already in the process of doing so, the team at Boss Law is here to help. We believe that every child deserves a safe and loving home and want to help make that happen.

Requirements to Adopt a Child in Tennessee

When thinking of adoption, it is important to keep in mind that the state imposes several requirements on individuals hoping to adopt. Not just anyone can initiate the adoption process. These requirements include:

• You are able to own your own home or rent a home
• Have the ability to work full-time
• May or may not have other children
• You can be single, married, or divorced
• You must be a resident of Tennessee
• You must be at least 21 years of age
• You must be able to meet the emotional needs and financial needs of your own family

If you do not meet the necessary requirements, you will not be able to adopt. At Boss Law, we can help you review the requirements and ensure that you are able to adopt a child in the state of Tennessee.

There may also be cases in which the adoption will be contested, as not all adoptions will happen with the consent of the biological parents. In these cases, when contentions arise, it is vital to retain the services of an attorney. You will likely be required to file a court petition that shows you are seeking to have the parental rights or guardianship rights of the biological parents or any other party terminated. Boss Law is here to help with this as well.

Hire an Adoption Lawyer Today

Whether you are just beginning to explore the option of adopting a child or you need assistance with an adoption that is already in progress, you need to hire an adoption lawyer with the experience and knowledge necessary to help you complete your family. At Boss Law, our attorney is here to help you do just that. With decades of experience combined with compassionate legal care, we’ve got your back. Contact us for a free consultation today.