Adoptions
A child can bring great joy to the life of a parent. However, this joy can sometimes turn into conflict. At Mindi Lasley, P.A., we represent clients in adoption proceedings and ensure that the adoption process runs smoothly, including terminating the rights of biological parents and obtaining consent of the biological parents when necessary. We handle both contested and uncontested adoptions and represent clients who are adopting a child as well as parents attempting to maintain parental rights of their child.
There are many requirements that must be met to adopt a child and they differ based upon the relationship between the child and the Petitioner (the individual that is adopting) and the age of the child that is to be adopted. For example, adoptions by relatives and stepparents do not require a separate hearing to terminate the parental rights of the biological parent(s). Furthermore, relative and stepparent adoptions do not require a home study while other adoptions do have a home study requirement.
A Notice of Intended Adoption Plan must be served upon any known and locatable unmarried biological father who is identified by the mother or by a diligent search of the Florida Putative Father Registry. A Father’s failure to timely and properly respond to a Notice of Intended Adoption Plan authorizes the court to enter a default, thus terminating the father’s parental rights.
Our firm will guide you through the maze of legal requirements throughout the entire adoption process to ensure that the adoption is done properly and the best interests of the child are satisfied.