Helping Your Family With Colorado Adoption Needs

At its core, the adoption process works to establish a legally binding relationship where one did not exist before. There are a variety of reasons why adoption may be the right choice for your family. Many different avenues for adoption exist, and depending on your situation, the process can be complicated. At GEM Family Law, our Colorado family law attorneys are well-versed in:

• Stepparent adoption
• Same-sex parent adoption
• Adoption from foster care
• Adult adoption

In Colorado, before a non-biological parent can adopt a child, the rights of the biological parent or parents must first be terminated or voluntarily relinquished. The individual requesting to adopt the child must also go through a vetting process, which includes background checks, fingerprints and a home visit. The timing of this process is of the essence, and GEM Family Law attorneys will guide you through these very specific procedures.

After the finalization of an adoption, a parent will have the same legal rights, responsibilities and privileges as a parent by birth. This means that as an adoptive parent, you will be able to make financial, medical and educational decisions for and on behalf of your child.

Frequently Asked Questions On Adoption

If you are considering adoption in Denver, you likely have many questions about the process, requirements and available options. Below, we address some of the most frequently asked questions to help you better understand what to expect.

How do you qualify to adopt?

Qualifying as an adoptive parent involves meeting both legal and personal criteria to help ensure the well-being of the child. In Colorado, prospective adoptive parents must meet the following general requirements:

● Be at least 21 years old.
● Pass a background check, including fingerprinting and child abuse registry screenings.
● Demonstrate financial stability and the ability to provide a safe and supportive home environment.
● Complete a home study conducted by a licensed agency, which includes interviews, home visits and assessments of parenting readiness.
● If adopting through foster care, attend mandatory training sessions.

While these are the basic qualifications, individual agencies and circumstances may require additional steps, such as medical evaluations or references.

What is an open adoption?

An open adoption is an arrangement in which the birth parents and adoptive parents maintain some level of communication before and after the adoption.

The level of openness varies widely and may include letters, emails, phone calls or in-person visits. In Colorado, open adoption agreements are not legally enforceable unless explicitly outlined in a post-adoption contact agreement.

Open adoptions can benefit all parties involved. Birth parents can stay informed about the child’s well-being, adoptive parents gain access to the child’s medical and family history and the child grows up with a deeper understanding of their origins. The level of contact should be carefully considered to serve the child’s best interests.

What is a closed adoption?

A closed adoption means that there is no direct communication between the birth parents and the adoptive family after the adoption is finalized. In this arrangement, identifying information about both parties remains confidential and all records are sealed.

While closed adoptions were once the standard, they are less common today. However, some birth parents and adoptive families prefer this arrangement for privacy reasons. In Colorado, adoptees may have the opportunity to access certain records later in life, depending on state laws and circumstances.

Can I adopt my stepchild?

Yes, stepparent adoption is possible in Colorado and can be a meaningful way to solidify an existing parent-child bond. However, specific legal steps must be followed, including:

● Consent from the other biological parent: The noncustodial parent must voluntarily relinquish their parental rights or the court must determine that terminating their rights is in the child’s best interest due to neglect, abandonment or other serious reasons.
● Residency requirement: The stepparent must be married to or in a legally recognized partnership with the child’s custodial parent.
● Home study and background check: In some cases, the court may require a home study or background check to evaluate the child’s best interests.
● Court hearing: After filing the necessary legal documents, a judge will review the case, and if all requirements are met, the adoption will be granted.

Stepparent adoption provides the child with legal rights, such as inheritance and access to health benefits, and offers a sense of permanency and security within the family unit. Denver offers various resources, including adoption agencies and legal professionals, to assist prospective adoptive parents on this journey.

Schedule Your Free Consultation Today

If you and your partner are ready to pursue a stepparent adoption or same-sex adoption, GEM Family Law can help. Call our office at 720-443-4892 or send us an email to arrange a time that works for you to speak with one of our Denver adoption lawyers.