Adoption Resources

Adoption Resources

At Minella Law Group, we understand that adoption is a lifelong commitment and a wonderful journey, but it’s also a legal process. Every year in America, thousands of families are formed via adoption – while there are many factors to consider, these resources are a great starting place.

Quick Facts

Adoption is the process that establishes a legal and permanent parent-child relationship with someone that is not a child’s biological or legal parent. Unlike guardianship or other systems designed for the care of the young, adoption is intended to effect a permanent change.

Single and married people are eligible to adopt
You do not have to own a home or make a lot of money to qualify
There are many forms of financial assistance and free classes available to help families adopt
Adoptions can occur either between related family members or unrelated individuals
- More recent data from the U.S. indicates about 50% of adoptions are currently between related individuals
Infertility is the main reason parents seek to adopt children they are not related to
There are “safe-haven” states in which infants can be left, anonymously, at hospitals, fire departments, or police stations within a few days of birth – California is one

Open Adoptions. Allow identifying information to be communicated between adoptive and biological parents and, perhaps, interaction between kin and the adoptee

Closed Adoptions. Confidential and seals all identifying information, maintaining it as secret and preventing disclosure of the adoptive parents’, biological kin’, and adoptees’ identities.

San Diego Specific Resources:

Did You Know?

Did you know that adoptions occur more in the state of California than any other. There are a few types of adoptions in the state we can assist with:

Stepparent adoptions. A stepparent that adopts agrees to take legal responsibility for their spouse’s biological child. The non-custodial biological parent loses their rights to the child after consenting to the adoption or after court-ordered termination of their parental rights. This is the most common and least complex form of adoption.
Domestic partnership adoptions. A domestic partnership adoption is available only to same-sex registered domestic partners. It allows one partner to adopt the other partner’s biological or adopted child. The result is that both partners are recognized as equal parents with the same legal rights and responsibilities to the child.
Second-parent adoptions. A more costly and complicated adoption is the second-parent adoption. This adoption is available to all unmarried or unregistered couples and allows a non-legal or non-biological second-parent to adopt the first parent’s biological or adoptive child. After the adoption is complete, the first parent gives up no legal rights to the child and both parents have equal rights and responsibilities.
Independent adoptions. A more simplified and streamlined process is an independent adoption. This adoption is one in which an agency is not involved and the birth parent(s) and the adoptive parents have a private arrangement for adoption. Typically, the birth parents work directly with the prospective adoption parents to make arrangements for placement.

Adoptions By the Numbers

If you’re considering adoption, Minella Law Group’s experienced attorneys can help complete your family. We are committed to you and your family and will be by your side advising you every step of the way.

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