Adoption
Guiding California families through every kind of adoption, with the care and precision your family deserves.
The adoptions we handle:
- ✓Stepparent and second-parent adoptions — for married spouses and unmarried partners alike
- ✓Independent (private) adoptions with birth-parent placement
- ✓Agency adoptions
- ✓Confirmatory adoptions for parents who built their family through ART or surrogacy
- ✓Adult adoptions
- ✓Interstate adoptions, including the multi-state (ICPC) approval a child needs to move between states
Adoption is a court process, and every step has to be done correctly for the final decree to hold. Consents, notices, home studies, and hearings all follow strict rules, and the requirements change with the type of adoption. We handle the legal work with care so you can focus on welcoming your child, confident that the outcome is secure.
How it works
1. Consultation
We get to know your family and determine which type of adoption fits your situation.
3. Court process
We prepare and file the petition and guide you through the home study and hearing.
2. Requirements
We handle consents, notices, and any interstate (ICPC) steps your case requires.
4. Finalization
The court issues the adoption decree, and your family is secure and permanent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I adopt if I already have children of my own?
Yes. Having biological or previously adopted children does not disqualify you. Many adoptive families have children already.
Can single people adopt?
Yes. Single individuals can and do adopt in California. What matters is your ability to provide a stable, loving home.
What is a home study?
A home study is an evaluation of your home and family life to confirm you can provide a safe environment. It typically includes interviews, background checks, references, and a home visit.
Does a criminal record disqualify me?
Not automatically. The nature of the offense, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation are all considered during the evaluation.
What rights do birth parents have?
Birth parents have significant rights, including (in many adoptions) choosing the adoptive family and the level of post-adoption contact. Their consent must be handled with great care and legal precision.
What is an adoption plan?
An adoption plan sets out the preferences of birth and adoptive parents on matters like openness, communication, and post-placement contact.
Free Step-by-Step Adoption Guide
Everything you need to feel informed and confident as you begin your adoption journey — the types of adoption, the process step by step, and answers to the questions families ask most.
Private concierge legal services for out-of-state and international clients
We regularly represent families adopting across state lines, handling the interstate (ICPC) requirements and coordinating with counsel in other jurisdictions — so you can move forward with confidence wherever you are. For clients traveling to California, we can also help arrange personal support on request, including interpreter services, ground transportation with a personal car and driver, and a personal assistant during your stay.
Let’s make it official
Whatever path brought you here, we’ll help you complete your family with confidence. Reach out to get started.