Adoption

Hall Brown’s Children Family Law team is able to support, advise and guide families through a wide range of often complex private and public law children matters, including those concerned with adoption.

Adoption is the process by which the legal relationship between a parent and child is changed. If your biological child is made the subject of an adoption order, you are no longer their legal parent and your parental responsibility for that child is ended.

An adoptive parent becomes a child’s legal parent at the point at which an adoption order is made. Hall Brown has helped a number of individuals – birth parents, adoptive parents and other family members – throughout the adoption process, and after the immediate legal formalities are complete.

 

My child has been placed for adoption or adopted

If your child has been made the subject of a placement or adoption order and you want to know your options for ongoing contact or further assessment, Hall Brown can offer advice and guidance.

 

I want to adopt a child in the UK (Domestic Adoption)

Likewise, the Hall Brown team can assist you if you intend to adopt a child, helping you meet all the criteria required of prospective adopters and taking you through any subsequent proceedings or legal process.

 

I want to adopt a child from abroad (Inter-country Adoption)

You might not be surprised to learn that adopting from a country outside England and Wales can be a more complicated process than adopting a child already living here, not least because of overlaps with immigration law.

Adoption rules and regulations can also differ between countries. An adoptive parent’s immigration status and nationality can be important factors.

It is essential, therefore, that parents wishing to adopt from abroad seek legal advice as soon as they can.

Hall Brown works closely with specialist immigration lawyers and family lawyers in other jurisdictions to provide parents and children with the support they need.

 

I want to adopt a step-child or a family member

Even though adopting a child from a partner’s previous relationship is not uncommon, there are a number of administrative steps for the process to be completed without difficulty.

It is possible to adopt a family member from another country, although the advice of a specialist lawyer is essential to overcome potential obstacles.

For example, guardianship orders granted overseas are not recognised in England and Wales and, therefore, will not confer legal responsibility for the child.

 

I have adopted a child and I am not getting the support I need

Hall Brown understands the challenges adoptive parents face and appreciates how adoptive placements can break down if they are not properly supported by their local authority.

We can help ensure that councils comply with their legal duties to parents, thus enabling them to manage the unique circumstances for them and their adoptive child.