Of the 18,000-plus kids in Arizona’s foster care system, many are eligible for permanent placement. To make sure the agreement is upheld by the court, many people work with adoption attorneys to welcome children into their families. To guide below explains what to expect from this process.

What You Should Know About Adoption in Arizona

Types of Adoption

To ensure you can provide a loving, supportive home, an adoption attorney will explain available options. Domestic infant adoption allows you to establish a connection in a child’s life as early as possible. In this scenario, the birth mother agrees to place the child in the care of new guardians. However, prospective parents can also adopt through the foster care system or work with outside agencies to secure legal international adoptions. 

Requirements to Become a Guardian

Although requirements vary based on the type of adoption, all prospective parents in Arizona must meet certain eligibility requirements. Home studies are conducted to determine whether the child will be safe and guardians can care for their social, physical, and mental well-being. To determine whether the criteria can be met, prospective parents undergo background checks and submit financial information and other legal documents for review. Home visits are also conducted and each member of the household is interviewed. 

How an Attorney Can Help

An adoption attorney can answer questions to help you navigate the complex process. When working with an agency or securing a private adoption, they will lobby on your behalf. They will also help with document preparation and can offer recommendations—such as taking parenting classes—to become a more desirable candidate.

If you want to grow your family in Arizona, contact the adoption attorneys at Riggs, Ellsworth & Porter, PLC in Show Low for assistance. Voted one of the Best Law Firms by U.S. News & World Report in 2019, the team is committed to helping clients throughout Navajo County with a wide range of legal matters. They can also set up living wills and trusts to protect your new family. To schedule a consultation, call (928) 537-3228. Visit the attorneys online to see all the areas of family law they tackle and read about how they’ve helped clients on Facebook.