At Watson Law, we practice Family Law Adoption to clients throughout our Peoria, IL and Chicago, IL service areas. Illinois Statutes and regulations can become frustrating and delayed which is why hiring us is in your best interest. Our attorneys and paralegals are ready to help you start or continue your adoption.
What is Adoption?
According to Illinois statue 750 ILCS 50, Adoption terminates the parental rights of a person’s/child’s biological parents to create new legal parents.
Why do you need an Adoption attorney?
Adoption attorneys provide legal professional assistance during the adoption proceedings to help you move things forward quicker.
How can Watson Law protect you in an Adoption?
At Watson Law, we’ll help you with court proceedings, paperwork, background checks, and much more. It’s important to stay in contact with us and be prepared for us and court to streamline the adoption process.
What does the Adoption process look like?
In the State of Illinois, the Adoption procedures are outlined in the Illinois Adoption Act. The Illinois Adoption Act covers who can adopt and who can be adopted. To file a Petition for Adoption in the state of Illinois, the parties must be over the age of eighteen, have resided in the state of Illinois for a minimum of six months, and are not disabled. This shall also be outlined in the Petition. This requirement can only be waived if the adoptee is related to the persons who are adopting or if the adoption involves a child placed by an agency. In the event that a petition for adoption is filed, then the biological parents must be informed of said petition, by being served. Both biological parents must consent to said adoption. If a parent is unable to be located, then you may ask the court for permission to serve by publication, i.e., through the local newspaper.
For example:
A popular adoption case is a stepparent adoption, wherein a stepparent adopts their current spouse’s child. The Petitioners then would be the Stepparent and their spouse, who is one of the biological parents of the minor. The Petitioners must have the opposite parent served, so that he/she/they are aware of the proceedings. If they are served and don’t show to the hearing, or file a response to the Petition, then the Petitioners may ask for a default. A default is wherein the relief requested in the petition is granted due to their non-participation. In an adoption proceeding, if a default is granted, then the opposite parent will automatically be deemed unfit, and then the judge will then determine if it’s in the best interest of the child for the child to be adopted by the parties.
By hiring us to represent you, we’ll help you complete all of the required paperwork and additional steps to become new parents.
