Share:

Adopting a child into your family can be a joyous, rewarding experience. However, the journey is not without its hurdles. Knowing what to expect throughout the process will help you determine the best path forward while avoiding common pitfalls. Below, a Lake St. Louis, MO, family law attorney from Coyne, Cundiff & Hillemann, PC, discusses what’s involved, as well as the eligibility requirements.   

The Adoption Process

To begin, you must determine which type of adoption you’d like to pursue. Do you want to adopt an infant or older child; internationally or domestically; through the state foster care system, an agency, or privately?

child custodyOnce you have decided how to move forward, you must complete a home study, which is an investigation that ensures you are fit to become an adoptive parent. It will be conducted by a caseworker, who will check your background, finances, education, and social life before submitting a final report. Assuming all goes well, you will be required to appear in court, where a family law court will either approve or deny your request.

Eligibility Requirements

Although some states require couples to be married for two or three years before adopting a child, Missouri is not one of them. Many agencies, however, impose their own eligibility requirements on the subject. The same applies to age restrictions and those with prior felony convictions. Whereas Missouri does not bar individuals from adopting based on age or criminal history, many agencies require prospective parents fall within a certain age range and possess a clean criminal record.

Adopting a child from foster care is a little different. In Missouri, those going this route must be at least 21 years old, in good mental and physical health, have a stable source of income, and pass criminal background, child abuse, and neglect checks. 

Navigating the process on your own can be challenging. Hiring a family law attorney who is well-versed in private adoption proceedings helps to expedite the process and guide you towards a favorable outcome. For an attorney in Lake Saint Louis, MO, turn to Coyne, Cundiff & Hillemann, PC. Backed by over 75 years of combined experience, they focus on an array of case areas, including adoption and family law matters. Free consultations are available: Contact the firm online or call (636) 561-5599 to schedule an appointment.

tracking