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Adoption Solicitors

Adopting a Child

Adoption can be a wonderful thing, completing your family by giving a child the love and stability of a ‘forever home’. However, some people can find going through the adoption process (which can be subject to a lot of red tape) a highly stressful experience. 

 

Our adoption solicitors are here to help you on your journey, providing you with support and guidance along the way.

Speak to our team today

How Our Adoption Solicitors Can Help

There are several types of adoption which are all complex, but we’re here to help. Our Children Law team are here to simplify the process and give clients a clear understanding of both the formalities and responsibilities. It’s our job to make everything clear, to guide you through and to make you feel as comfortable as possible with the whole process.

Our children law specialists can act for anyone seeking to adopt a child – step parents, couples or singles, married or unmarried, and same sex couples – and we can advise on all types of adoption arrangements, including:

  • Adoption by step parent, relatives, foster parent(s) or from care
  • International adoption – where the child is being brought from outside of England and Wales, and immigration laws also apply
  • Special Guardianship Orders

How Does Adoption Work?

The main piece of legislation governing the law of adoption is the Adoption and Children Act 2002, which should be considered with reference to the Children Act 1989. 

 After the court makes an Adoption Order, an adopted child is treated in law as if they are the legitimate child of the adopters. The effect of adoption is intended to be life-long. 

What is the Process of Adoption?

The first step to becoming an approved adopter is to complete a Registration of Interest form. You will also need to undertake training, and undergo background checks to ensure you are suitable. 

 After this, you will usually have a few meetings with a social worker, who will then produce a Prospective Adopters Report (PAR). The PAR will be presented to the local Adoption Panel, who will make the final decision on whether you are eligible to adopt. 

Adoption Solicitors FAQs

Do You Need a Solicitor for Adoption?

If the adoption process has started, you should get legal advice from a solicitor. To make an adoption legal, a court has to grant a court order.

How Long Does it Take to Adopt a Child in the UK?

The adoption approval process usually takes around 6 months.

Can Anyone Adopt in the UK?

You do not have to be a British citizen to adopt a child. However, you must have a fixed and permanent home in the UK, Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man.

Adoption Free Consultation

Our Family Law team offer a free 30 minute consultation for new clients and we offer flexible appointments that can be arranged around your work schedule.

Our Children Law specialists can support with:

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The Adoption team

The Adoption team are part of the Children Law department at Howells.

The Howells team is one of the best in the country. It has been consistently highly ranked for family work in the north, and is overseen by the hugely respected and much admired Alyson Siddall. Alyson has developed a group of many talents but with shared values. Tough and resolute in their legal representation, sensitive and compassionate in their client relationships, the team understand that they’re not dealing with ‘cases’ but with people, not bound up in legal process but in real lives.

Chambers UK
Howells was highly ranked as a law firm for Family Law by Chambers UK 2018. The prestigious guide said Howells is “Increasingly active in dealing with high net worth cases and child abduction cases over the past year. Bolstered by a designated mediation and collaborative law group.”

Legal 500
The Legal 500 2018 ranks the Family department highly and states that “Howells handles the full spectrum of matrimonial work and children law matters. Alyson Siddall is ‘hugely experienced but always still keen to learn’, and heads the department which benefits from individuals based across Sheffield, Rotherham and Barnsley. Siddall is regularly instructed in complex financial arrangements and has additional expertise in private children matters and collaborative law. Sharon Lockwood is another key name to note for financial work, while Sarah Walker is highlighted for childcare matters.”

Aamnah Saleem

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