Caring. Qualified. Committed.
Our firm focuses on every facet of adoption law, and we use our knowledge and experience to make the legal adoption process as smooth and understandable as possible.
Domestic Infant Adoption
In domestic infant adoption, the child and adoptive parents may have a connection through family or acquaintances, or they may be connected through a third party, such as an adoption agency. Private adoptions require a thorough background investigation that includes a comprehensive home study conducted by a Certified Adoption Specialist. Private adoptions also require an attorney to finalize the adoption in a South Carolina family court. Whether you have self-matched or worked with an agency, our firm would consider it a privilege to help you finalize your infant adoption.
Foster Care Adoption
Children adopted through a state agency, such as the Department of Social Services, have been removed from their biological families for reasons that may include abuse or neglect. Many times, these children (ranging in age from infant to 18) spend time in temporary family care situations or foster families. Children whose biological parents had their rights terminated may be available for their foster parents to adopt. Even if you are working through a public or private agency, you will need an attorney to represent you during the court stage of the adoption. Our firm is qualified and ready to guide you through this final step in your adoptive journey.
Stepparent Adoption
In many blended families, the biological parents want to know if their spouse can adopt his or her biological child. While there are a few additional factors to consider (such as consent of the other biological parent), this process is more straightforward than other types of adoption. If you are interested in this type of adoption, our firm can walk you through the process required for a stepparent to adopt their spouse’s biological child.
Relative Adoption
Relative adoption, like stepparent adoption, does not require a home study report. South Carolina allows a relative related by blood or marriage to adopt a child without additional steps or procedures. If you have guardianship or custody of a related child and are interested in learning more about adopting that child, please contact our office for a consultation.
Adult Adoption
In the state of South Carolina, an adult (or a couple) can adopt another adult. Because they are largely symbolic, adult adoptions do not require many of the standard formalities of other types of adoptions. The adult being adopted was most commonly a stepchild of the adopting adult or lived with and formed a less formal parent-child relationship with the adopting adult/couple while a minor. Should your family be considering an adult adoption, our legal team can offer guidance and representation throughout the process.
International Adoption
Adopting children from countries outside of the United States requires the help of an international adoption agency. Because it deals with more than one nation’s laws, international adoption often involves different legal considerations than domestic adoption. Our firm represents clients in domesticating foreign adoptions.
Adoption is woven into the fabric of her life as a child, adoptive mother, and adoption attorney… At a time when she could have easily rushed through her explanations, she took her time, made sure we understood every step of the process and was so kind to us.
- Client Testimonial
Domestic Adoption
Adoption is woven into the fabric of her life as a child, adoptive mother, and adoption attorney… At a time when she could have easily rushed through her explanations, she took her time, made sure we understood every step of the process and was so kind to us.
- Client Testimonial
Domestic Adoption
Adoption is woven into the fabric of her life as a child, adoptive mother, and adoption attorney… At a time when she could have easily rushed through her explanations, she took her time, made sure we understood every step of the process and was so kind to us.
- Client Testimonial
Domestic Adoption
What it’s like to Work with Betsy
Adoption and probate law can be confusing, especially when combined with the intense emotions each life event brings. Betsy uses her personal experience and professional expertise to provide the calm, consistent guidance your family deserves.