Our Mission
The Minnesota adoption attorneys at CJB Law aim to provide compassionate legal services that give you peace of mind as you make this significant transition into parenthood. We’ll help you collect all necessary documents and advocate for you with any private adoption agencies or professionals, ensuring that your best foot is put forth during the adoption process. Put your trust in our team of Minnesota adoption attorneys today.
Our Background
Knowledge and Experience
The team of adoption lawyers at CJB Law has impressive experience in a variety of Minnesota family law areas. Our team has you covered with reliable and compassionate legal services from divorce and separation to child support disputes and custody agreements. Whether you’re looking to move forward in the adoption process or require assistance with other family legal problems, we’re here to help. Get in touch with CJB Law today to learn more about our range of reliable family law solutions.
Our Family Law Services
Who Is Eligible to Adopt in Minnesota?
Minnesota allows anyone residing in the state for at least one year to adopt a child. The court may waive this residency requirement under certain circumstances. Although Minnesota’s adoption eligibility requirements may seem lenient, it’s individual adoption professionals and agencies you have to worry about, as these organizations can set their own guidelines for prospective parents to meet. For this reason, actual adoption requirements may vary based on the type of adoption occurring and the various adoption professionals involved. Your Minnesota adoption attorney can explain these eligibility guidelines in-depth before pursuing adoption.
Who Can Be Adopted?
According to Minnesota adoption laws, any child or adult in Minnesota may be adopted. The biological parents of a minor adopted in Minnesota must terminate their legal parental rights before an adoption can occur and can only consent to this termination at least 72 hours after the baby’s birth. Adoption consent is irrevocable after ten days in Minnesota.
In addition, any person 14 years of age or older must provide consent prior to adoption in the state of Minnesota. Your attorney at CJB Law can explain the ins and outs of what’s required of your unique adoption circumstances before beginning the actual process itself.
What Actions Are Required If I Want to Adopt?
Adopting a child is often a complicated process regardless of where you live. Like anywhere else, individuals who wish to adopt in Minnesota need to meet specific criteria to ensure a child’s safety, health, and well-being. All people wanting to adopt in Minnesota must be approved by a licensed home study provider, regardless of the adoption type or the outlet used to complete the process.
Going through the home study process helps ensure that the adopted child enters a safe, loving, and stable home environment. Home studies require a thorough investigation into the lives of prospective adoptive parents, including:
- Background checks
- Home inspections
- Family interviews
- Gathering personal documents
- Adoption training courses
- Character references
- Meetings with social workers
All of these things listed above and more are expected during a home study before adoption. Your Minnesota adoption attorney at CJB Law can assist you in gathering the necessary evidence to nail an upcoming home study and prepare to finalize your adoption.
What Are the Appropriate Channels for Adopting a Child in MN?
There are several different routes adoptive parents can take in order to finally adopt a child in Minnesota. In some cases, a child may be adopted by an extended family member after an emergency or accident. Other times, children are adopted after spending some time in one home of the foster care system. Finally, adoptive parents can utilize individual adoption professionals or private adoption agencies in Minnesota to make this significant life change. Regardless of the route taken to adopt your child, it’s critical to have adequate legal representation at your side to ensure everything in the adoption process is completed correctly and, more importantly, legally.
Is There Any Financial Assistance for Prospective Birth Parents?
Yes, Minnesota outlines a variety of financial compensation awarded to expecting mothers and their partners prior to adoption. For a parent or parents planning to adopt a newborn baby, adoption laws dictate that they must provide financial adoption assistance to the prospective birth parent(s). Minnesota allows adoptive parents to cover several “reasonable” expenses on behalf of the birth parent, including:
- Counseling
- Medical and legal fees
- Transportation and housing associated with the adoption
- Nutrition and healthcare-related expenses
- Professional adoption services
- Loss of income as a result of the pregnancy
What Should I Expect From the Minnesota Adoption Process?
Adopting a child is an important decision requiring intense planning, research, and financial stability. Parents hoping to adopt in Minnesota must be aware of the many steps necessary before a child can be legally placed into their home. Here is a list of steps you can expect to see in the adoption process before the child’s placement:
- Informational sessions
- Pre-adoption education courses
- Home studies
- Foster care licensing
- Matching process
- Pre-placement and placement
- Post-placement and finalization
- Post-finalization support
Get Started
Free Case Evaluation
If you’re ready to take the exciting first steps toward growing your family, get in touch with our team of Minnesota adoption lawyers for your free case evaluation today.