How Family Formation Law Offices Can Help You Complete Your Second-Parent Adoption. Non-resident couples may obtain an adoption in the District or a Judgment of Parentage based solely on the birth of the child in the District of Columbia. The law was passed to allow a second parent to adopt a child without removing legal parental rights from the first parent. A second-parent adoption allows a second parent to adopt a child without the "first parent" losing any parental rights. In some jurisdictions including Maryland, you will also have to provide income verification (tax returns), health statements for you and the child and information on the donor or biological parent ⦠If Second Parent adoption is not allowed in your state: While more and more states are allowing second parent adoption for LGBTQ families, there are those that still deny parents this right. Once granted, the Commonwealth of Virginia, North Carolina and other States, as well as the federal government, should recognize the adoption for all purposes. In Maryland, there is no provision for permitting a second parent adoption by statute or case law. If you are an LGBTQ, contact us about the process for gay and lesbian second parent adoption in Maryland and the District of Columbia and step-parent adoption for LGBTQ parents in Virginia. Same-sex couples and the stepparent procedure A second parent adoption, also sometimes called a co-parent adoption, is an additional way for same-sex couples to both become the parents and guardians of ⦠How does adoption consent work in Maryland? If you use a gestational surrogate which is recommended since it provides greater legal protections for all the parties, you can often obtain a birth order declaring your parentage prior to the baby's birth avoiding the need for an adoption. We handle private adoptions (parental placement and independent), agency adoptions, step-parent adoptions, second parent adoptions, relative adoptions and adult adoptions in all three jurisdictions. There are many ways for you to become a family. If you are unable to complete a second parent adoption, consult an attorney about creating a Co-Parenting Agreement. A same-sex couple who could not jointly adopt in the past wants to now protect the non-adopting partnerâs legal rights to their child. However, you are never alone. Adoption gives both parents, regardless of their biological relationship to a child, legal custody rights over a child. Our adoption professionals guide you through the process and help you on your path to parenthood.The adoption process starts when you decide to adopt a child.Once youâve made that decision, you need to dete⦠Currently, six states allow marriage of same sex couples; therein, the adoption is permitted as a step-parent ⦠Most Maryland stepparent adoptions occur when one parent is largely absent or has completely abandoned the child. We also work with clients interested in gestational surrogacy and the use of egg, embryo or sperm donors to complete ⦠Parents and other close relatives may put a child up for adoption ⦠Contact us now to learn more about all of your family-building options so you can choose the path that’s best for your family. There are challenges along the way. Whatâs most important is that you protect your parental rights and the rights of your child. For example, if one person previously adopted a child individually or has a biological child from a previous relationship, their partner may choose to complete a second parent adoption so that they can have equal legal rights to their child. Read client comments on Jennifer’s Avvo profile. If it is anything other than English, then consent must be given before a judge or come with a record that the translation of the document is ⦠I wanted to be a mom. Step parent adoption in Maryland comes with one of the most convenient legal processes all across the country. An attorney is always needed to complete a second-parent adoption in Virginia, Maryland or Washington, D.C. Jennifer and Catelyn are proud to help couples to complete their families through second-parent adoptions, and have many years of experience doing so. To be approved as a foster parent in Maryland, applicants must meet the following requirements: Be at least 21 years old According to law, states have the right to honor or deny second parent adoption. Today, second parent adoption in either jurisdiction is routinely granted as long as the parents have met the adoption criteria required by the local court. In a Virginia agency case, the birth mother signs a relinquishment to the agency and does not appear in court. Client feedback demonstrates that Jennifer is one of the top adoption attorneys for the LGBTQ community. For example: if Joe is already Ann's parent, and Sue wants to adopt Ann without terminating Joe's rights, then a second parent adoption would be used. What are the laws to become a foster parent in Maryland? Attention Adoptive Parents: Learn more about the adoption process in Maryland and how you can adopt a child in MD. In the District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland, LGBTQ individuals — both single individuals and couples — are also eligible to adopt through an agency, foster care or private placement adoption although religious based agencies in Virginia can refuse to work with you or your family. Second parent adoptions often occur when one lesbian partner bears the child with the use of donor sperm, or where a male couple uses a gestational carrier to carry their child and one is the biological father. In Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia gay and lesbian parents can adopt as single parents and as married parents. Second-parent adoptions have been around longer than many people realize because up until 2017, they had not been legalized in all 50 states. Why "Second Parent?" The new law, found in Maryland Family Law Article 5-3B-27, streamlines and expedites the adoption process for second⦠“I believe in working with each of my clients—in support of their family dynamic—to make the dreams of parenthood a reality. In Virginia, a birth mother consents in Court in front of Judge three days or more after the baby is born and has seven days to revoke. A stepparent adoption in Maryland takes approximately 3 months to be final. In this case, a Maryland stepparent will petition the Maryland Circuit Court to establish legal parental rights to a child. The family law attorneys at Cynthia H. Clark & Associates, LLC are experienced in all aspects of adoption. Note: This situation typically arises if the child is born outside of the state. Copyright 2020 Cynthia H. Clark & Associates, LLC | All Rights Reserved, Second Parent, Stepparent and Adult Adoption â The Many Ways to Make a Family, Same-Sex Divorce and Dissolution of Partnerships, The Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act, Difference between sole and joint custody, Things to keep in mind when healing after a divorce. If you’re ready to legally confirm your status as a family, contact us now. A Reuters report from 2018 states that âNine states have laws allowing state-funded, religiously affiliated adoption agencies to refuse to place children with gay people based on religious beliefs. Child Adoption Laws Maryland. Our goal is to ensure and protect the rights of you and your children. Once completed, the child will receive a new birth certificate showing the child's new name and the new parent. It is still recommended to all parents in same-sex or same-gender relationships to secure their parental rights through an adoption, as a birth certificate is a "presumption of parentage" but the adoption is a judicial determination given full faith and credit across the country. Second parent adoptions are commonly completed by same-sex couples who are in a committed relationship and who are raising a child together, but may not be legally married. Yes. What is a Maryland Stepparent Adoption ⦠To reserve a consultation at our office in Annapolis, please call 410.921.2422 or fill out our contact form. A second parent adoption is when one partner wishes to legally adopt the other partner’s child so they share equal legal parental rights. If you use a Traditional Surrogate, she will have to consent to any adoption by a non-biological parent of the child. 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