Adoption Successfully Guiding Families Through the Adoption Process

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Sterling Heights Adoption Attorneys

Experienced Attorneys Dedicated to Achieving the Best Outcomes

If you are thinking about adopting a child, it would be advisable to learn about the basic procedures used in most types of adoption as well as consult with an experienced adoption attorney. At Goetting Corrado Law Group, P.C., we have helped countless parents create the family of their dreams. From helping them with the details of their home study to ensuring you understand how adoption court procedures work, our attorneys are here for you through all the ups and downs of the process of adoption.

How Does the Process of Adoption Work in Michigan?

For any adoption to be legal, the birth parents must consent to the adoption (unless parental rights have been legally terminated for some other reason, such as neglect or abuse). In Michigan, you cannot consent to an adoption until after the child is born, no sooner than 72 hours after birth. After 72 hours from the birth, the parents can sign an out-of-court consent form. This means that birth parents can legally change their minds about adoption at any point before the birth of the child because they have not yet given their consent to the adoption.

Even after the birth parents have given their consent and the child has been placed in the adoptive home, Michigan has a revocation period of 5 business day after the parents have consented to the adoption. five business days.

Investigation of Adoptive Parents

All states require adoptive parents to undergo an investigation to make sure that they are fit to raise a child. This investigation is called a home study. Typically, this study is conducted by a state agency or licensed social worker who examines the adoptive parents’ home life and prepares a report for the court with a positive or negative recommendation for adoption. The court has discretion over the final decision.

The social worker will consider various factors related to the parents’ ability to raise a child including but not limited to the following:

Financial stability
Marital stability
Lifestyle
Other children
Career obligations
Physical and mental health
Criminal history

In recent years, the home study has become more than just a method of investigating prospective parents as it serves to educate and inform them as well. The social worker helps prepare the adoptive parents by discussing issues with them beforehand. These may include how and when to talk with the child about their adoption and how to deal with reactions to the adoption from friends and family members. If the social worker writes a negative report, the person wishing to adopt may contest it.

Adoption Court Process

All adoptions, whether handled by an agency or done independently, must be approved by the court. The adoptive parents must file an adoption petition, which is basically a request for approval, with the court and attend an adoption hearing.

Adoption Petition

A standard adoption petition will generally include the following:

Names, ages, and residence address of the adoptive parents
Name, age, and legal parentage of the child to be adopted
Relationship between the adoptive parents and the child to be adopted

Termination of Parental Rights

A hearing will be held to terminate the rights of the birth parents. Once this occurs, a formal placement of the adoptee is ordered.

Adoption Hearing and Order

At the adoption hearing, the court will determine if the adoption is in the child’s best interest. If this is the case, the judge will issue an order approving and finalizing the adoption. This order, often called a final decree of adoption, legalizes the new parent-child relationship, and orders a name change if the new parents have asked for one.

Types of Adoption

Michigan law allows for many different types of adoptions. Some of the most common are relative adoption, direct adoption, and guardian adoption.

Reach out to our office onlineor call us at (586) 554-2200 to schedule a consultation. We offer same-day appointments for your convenience.

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Our Reviews

Hear What Our Clients Are Saying

“Talia and the Goetting Corrado Law Group helped me with a challenging custody case for several years”
- Amanda
“She is professional, knowledgeable, and will have your back as your lawyer.”
- Sarah
“At times adoption can be a scary process, but Talia and Tonya make sure that you understand everything.”
- Amanda

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:How many adoptions have our adoption attorneys worked on?

A:Our adoption attorneys have worked on approximately 100 adoptions and the number continues to grow.
Q:Can anyone adopt?

A:No. People who are on the Central Registry for Child Abuse and Neglect cannot adopt. Also, certain felonies and offenses against children can prohibit a person from adopting.
Q:What states can you do adoptions in?

A:We can do adoptions in any of the 50 states as long as at least the adoptive parents, a birth parent or the child are in Michigan. However, we can do adoption consultations for anyone in the United States.
Q:How much do adoptions costs?

A:That varies depending on the type of adoptions. Our fees range between $1500 to $8000 depending on the type of adoptions. All of our fees are flat fees so you don't have to worry about additional legal charges.
Q:Do your attorneys represent birth parents or adoptive parents?

A:It depends. We have represented birth parents and adoptive parents; however we cannot represent both.
Q:How many lawyers does it take to change a light bulb?

A:Fifty-four. Eight to argue, one to get a continuance, one to object, one to demur, two to research precedents, one to dictate a letter, one to stipulate, five to turn in their time sheets, two to depose, one to write interrogatories, two to settle, one to order a secretary to change the bulb, and twenty-eight to bill for professional services.