What to Know About Adopting a Child in Illinois

 Posted on November 30, 2022 in Adoption

Raising children can be among the most rewarding and fulfilling things anyone ever does in their entire life. Few acts are more loving and sincere than deciding to pursue adoption to start or grow your family. If you are fortunate enough to be considering adoption as your avenue toward growing your family, you are likely filled with excitement and questions about how the process works. If you are considering adoption as an option you are interested in, consider consulting with an experienced adoption attorney who understands the process and will work to ensure your process is as smooth as possible. 

Steps to Pursuing an Adoption

 Once you have made the exciting decision to pursue an adoption, you must become aware of all the different dynamics that go into the process of adoption in Illinois. Generally speaking, in Illinois, an individual or couple is eligible to adopt if they can satisfy standard residency requirements and have a good reputation in the community. Prospective parents must also be financially stable and able to provide whoever they are adopting with adequate shelter and suitable housing. Single people, unmarried couples, and married couples can pursue adoption. 

Types of Adoption in Illinois

It is crucial to understand the options available to decide what is best for you and your situation. In general, Illinois features four primary types of adoption, including: 

• Related adoption – This occurs when a child is adopted by family members, like a stepparent, grandparent, sibling, uncle, or aunt. This type of adoption is frequently the simplest to pursue since many of the processes required for other adoptions will likely be waived. 
• Agency adoption – This refers to parents adopting a child through an agency such as the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. They may also pursue adoption with a licensed and private adoption agency. In agency adoptions, the biological parents of the child either provided the child to the state or had their parental rights terminated. 
• Private adoptions – This occurs when the prospective parents receive the child directly from the child’s biological family.
• Standby adoptions – This form of adoption takes place after a particular event, like the death of the child’s biological parent. 

Contact a Cook County Adoption Attorney 

Adoption can be an excellent option if you are considering growing your family. If you are ready to adopt, contact the highly skilled Rolling Meadows adoption lawyer with The Law Offices of Curtis Bennett Ross, L.L.C.. Attorney Ross will work tirelessly to ensure your adoption process is as smooth as possible. Call 312-984-1514 for a free limited consultation.

Source:

https://www.isba.org/public/guide/adoption