Before an adoption may be granted, your adoption lawyer must ensure that certain requirements are met:
- The child must have lived with the proposed adoptive parent for at least six months before an adoption can be finalized.
- A child over the age of 12 must consent to the adoption.
- A stepparent adoption requires that the married couple must both participate in filing the petition for adoption.
- The prospective parents must provide a copy of their criminal records to the court.
- A home study must also be completed before a judge can approve an adoption.