Chicago Adoption Attorney

Lawyer in Cook County for All Types of Adoption Cases

Adopting a child can be an extremely fulfilling and rewarding experience. However, at The Law Offices of Curtis Bennett Ross, LLC, we know that the process of adoption can be full of all kinds of challenges. Fortunately, our team is equipped to help you manage all of the logistical, financial, and legal aspects of the adoption process. With more than 30 years of experience practicing family law, Attorney Curtis Bennett Ross knows what is at stake during an adoption, and he is prepared to provide the assistance you need.

Lincoln Park Counsel for Adoption Proceedings

Before you decide to adopt a child, it is critical that you consider all of the factors and potential consequences of your decision. It is also important to plan ahead. Under Illinois law, an adoptive parent must meet several requirements regarding his or her age, residency, and disability status. In addition, anyone looking to adopt must be "a reputable person." The skilled team at our firm is fully up to date on all of the laws that govern adoption in Illinois, and we can help you decide if adoption is the best course of action for your family.

Once you decide to pursue the adoption, the next step is to file a petition for adoption with the court. Depending on the circumstances of your case, the adoption process may require one or both of the child's parents to relinquish their parental rights or to have their rights terminated by the court. As a result, adoption proceedings can become contentious and stressful for everyone involved. We will work hard to solve any problems that may arise and to offer solutions that you can complete the process quickly, efficiently, and without unnecessary confusion.

Adoption Lawyers Serving Wicker Park and Gold Coast

At The Law Offices of Curtis Bennett Ross, LLC, our compassionate team is sensitive to the challenges that are often associated with adopting a child. We provide trusted guidance and reliable representation in all types of adoption cases, including:

• Stepparent or co-parent adoption: If your spouse has a child from a prior relationship, a stepparent adoption can establish a legal parent-child relationship between you and the child. Co-parent or second-parent adoptions offer similar benefits and may be appropriate for same-sex couples with children.
• Related adoption: A non-parent family member such as a grandparent, sibling, uncle, or aunt can pursue legal parental rights regarding a child through a related adoption.
• Independent adoption: An independent adoption is one in which the adoptive parent is not related to the child and no adoption agency is involved. In such cases, an attorney is usually required to help ensure all of the possible legal issues are addressed.
• Agency adoption: There are various adoption agencies in Illinois that help connect children in need with adoptive parents. We handle adoption cases facilitated by both governmental and private adoption agencies, including the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

While Illinois law largely governs the adoption process in the state, individual counties may require adoptive parents to follow specific protocols and regulations as well. We know that your adoption can give a child a whole host of new opportunities, and we are ready to help you at every stage of the process.

Schedule a Free Limited Consultation Today

If you are thinking about growing your family through adoption, contact our office. Call 312-984-1514 for a limited, no-cost consultation with a member of our team today. Attorney Curtis Bennett Ross serves families in Chicago, Lincoln Park, Andersonville, Wicker Park, Gold Coast, Old Town, Oak Park, River North, Wrightwood, West Loop, Greektown, The Loop, Bucktown, and at the Richard J. Daley Center Courthouse.