{"id":357962,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:17","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/hirealawyer\/choosing-the-right-lawyer\/adoption-law.html"},"modified":"2023-08-03T13:12:51","modified_gmt":"2023-08-03T18:12:51","slug":"adoption-law","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/hirealawyer\/choosing-the-right-lawyer\/adoption-law.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is Adoption Law?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Is Adoption Law?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Adoption law<\/span> is the set of state, federal, and international rules that govern how children are legally placed with adoptive families<\/span>. These laws outline who can adopt, how parental rights<\/span> are terminated, and what procedures agencies and courts must follow.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Understanding adoption law<\/span> is crucial for prospective parents navigating this complex process. This article explains how adoption laws<\/span> work at the state, federal, and international levels. You\u2019ll learn how the law applies to different types of adoptions<\/span> and when to get help from a family law<\/span> attorney<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Understanding Adoption Law<\/span><\/h2>\n

Adoption law<\/span><\/a> consists of an\u00a0extensive body of international, federal, and state laws<\/span> governing the adoption process<\/span>. Whether adoptive families<\/span> choose private adoption<\/span> or go through the foster care<\/span> system, all parties must obey adoption law<\/span>.<\/p>\n

In some cases, parents attempting to adopt\u00a0may need an adoption attorney. Adoption agencies<\/span><\/a> may have their own attorneys to provide legal services.<\/p>\n

State, Federal, and International <\/span>Adoption<\/span> Laws<\/span><\/h3>\n

Adoptions happen for many reasons. A child\u2019s <\/span>birth<\/span> parents<\/span> may be unable or unwilling to care for their child. The court may terminate parental rights<\/span> if the biological parents<\/span> are incarcerated or unfit. When a parent remarries, the stepparent<\/span> may adopt the stepchild<\/a> with the birth <\/span>parent<\/span>\u2019s consent<\/span>.<\/p>\n