Adoption finalization
Your child is home. Now we take the papers to the final hearing.
Whether the placement came through an agency, a relative or foster care, the court has the last word. We handle the legal side from the signed consents to the decree.
We don't find children or match families, and we aren't an agency. We're the lawyers you hire once there is a child, a placement and a date to work toward.
We read every consent and placement paper first. A missing signature now is a delay later, and we'd rather find it on day one.
Consents and placement papers reviewed
Petition, decree and final hearing
A new birth certificate, and a new name if you want one
Before we file
What we read before we file
Consents
Signed the way the law requires, in the right order and on the right forms.
Placement papers
The agency's or relative's paperwork, matched to what the court asks for.
The home study
A social worker's report. We tell you what it must say and when the court needs it.
Your records
Birth certificates, marriage records and background checks in one folder you can see.
What the finalization fee covers
One flat fee from your first call to the signed decree.
What it covers
Review of consents and placement papers
Petition, decree and final hearing
Request for a new birth certificate and name
What can move it
If the court wants more than the usual, we tell you before we do it, with the new fee in writing.
How you pay
In two parts: half to start, half before we file. Ask about the schedule on the free call.
The court's filing fee, the home study and agency fees are paid to the court or the provider, not to us.
A short hearing, a long photo session
Most final hearings run well under an hour. The judge confirms who you are, asks a few simple questions about your child's life at home, and signs the decree.
Many courts invite the family up for pictures afterward. We tell you what to expect in your courthouse, and whether it's a room or a video call.
Questions at this stage
Do you work with agencies?
We work with whatever agency, relative or foster program placed your child, and we read their paperwork. We don't place children and we don't refer you to anyone who does.
How soon after placement can we finalize?
The law sets a waiting period that varies, and some placements allow none. On the free call we name the earliest realistic date for your court.
Can we finalize from out of town?
If the court is in this state, yes: calls, signing and often the hearing are by video. A judge may ask you to be in the room, and we tell you early.
What about the new birth certificate?
After the decree we send the court's order to the state's records office with your request. The certificate follows its own schedule, and we tell you what to expect.
Take it to the final hearing
Twenty minutes, free, by video. Bring the placement papers if you have them.
The first call is free. Court filing fees, home studies, background checks and any agency or clinic charges are separate, and we list each one beside your fee.