Adoption/Termination of Parental Rights

Kosla & De Alba represents clients who are interested in step-parent, independent, or relative adoptions. There are two types of adoptions: contested and uncontested adoptions. In an uncontested adoption, one parent agrees to permit the independent relative or step-parent to adopt their biological child. In a contested adoption, one parent does not agree to permit the other parent to adopt their child. There has to be a basis for termination of the out-parents parental rights. Non-limiting examples include: • Abandonment by one parent; • One Parent conviction for a certain type of crime; • The existence of guardianship for over 2 years; • Other statutory grounds. Adoption and the corresponding termination of a parent’s rights are the “death penalty” in family law cases. It means that the out-parent who abandoned the child is no longer considered to be the child’s legal parent. A higher standard of proof will apply to this type of case that needs to be discussed with your attorney.