Adoption has helped many families and couples in need of a child. This noble cause also helps provide a safe space for children who are orphaned or abandoned. If you wish to adopt and are looking for family lawyers in Parramatta, Eden King Lawyers is one of the top family lawyers in Sydney who can come to your aid.
The permanent transfer of all legal rights and parenting responsibilities from the child’s biological parents or legal guardians to the adoptive parents or a parent is known as adoption. Once the Court of a particular jurisdiction has approved and issued an Adoption Order, the birth family of a child loses all legal rights, and/or any ties to the child are permanently severed. The child would then become a permanent member of the adoptive parents’ family, i.e. assuming all the rights a child born in that family would have.
An adoption brings several joys to the family of the adoptive parents. A child in need will also now receive adequate care and love that everyone deserves. But it is crucial to address that adopting a child is a challenging path to tread. Several factors come into play, such as:
- a child losing their biological parents, or
- parents losing their own blood and adoptive parents losing the dream of having their biological children.
Anyone thinking of or involved in the process of adoption should know that this legal procedure is for the benefit of the child in need of parents and not for the expectation and needs of the adoptive parents or parent.
Who Can Adopt?
There are specific eligibility criteria for someone to opt for adoption. These criteria can differ from one jurisdiction to another according to the statutory provisions. The key requirements for adoption are age, marital status of the adoptive parents, and residence.
Adoption Process In Australia:
Initial Steps And Forms
The first step if you are interested in adopting a child in Australia is to research the type of adoption and what suits you and your family the most. Since child adoption and welfare are managed at a state government level, you need to know that every jurisdiction has its own specific criteria for prospective parents along with training and assessment processes.
Expression Of Interest
In almost every state, anyone interested in adopting a child must fill out an Expression Of Interest (EOI) form and submit the same to the Department of Communities and Justice. This will help them check your documentation and see if you meet all the eligibility requirements.
Screening
In this step of the process, the officials will check your documentation such as medical status, criminal records, personal references, and birth and marriage certificates. After assessing the same, you will receive a written notification stating whether or not your application will progress.
Assessment Process
According to the concerned legislation and eligibility criteria, an assessment of risks and success factors for the child will take place. The assessment process will differ for the adoption of a child that is over 2 years of age, in permanent care, or in sibling groups. This assessment aims to come to a decision that favours the child up for adoption.
This process can go up to 3 months which gives the adoptive parents and the officials of this case enough time to understand all the consequences of their upcoming decision.
The assessor of the case will draft a report on the adoptive parents’ suitability of going ahead with this decision and recommend it to the program manager. The program manager will then decide on whether the adoptive parents or parent is suitable for this program. Once all these formalities are fulfilled, you will receive notifications for the next few steps.
To make sure that your chances of adopting are strong, it is important to hire the best family lawyers in Sydney. With Eden King Lawyers on your case, you do not have to worry about your application or finding better lawyers in Parramatta. Eden King Lawyers will build your case up to its best capacity!
