Adoption Help
A Personal St. Petersburg, Florida, Adoption Lawyer
A family adopting a child is about to embark on an emotional journey. At the law firm of Christina L. Sandvoss P.A. in St. Petersburg, my job as an adoption lawyer is to ensure that journey goes smoothly.
Adoption is one of the rare family law cases where everyone leaves the courthouse happy. I represent stepparents who want to adopt a child who is already living with them. I also represent families in open or private adoptions.
Before I became a family law attorney, I was an investigator for the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). Later, I became a Florida state attorney working for the child welfare divisions of the Pinellas County State Attorney's Office. Making things right for children has been one of the constants in my legal career. One of the best ways I can do that is by helping to bring children into a loving forever home.
As your lawyer in an adoption, I will:
- Prepare you for your home visit and other steps in the legal process
- Ensure that you receive a final termination of the biological parent's rights
Adoption-Terminations
Stepparent adoptions are sometimes called adoption-terminations, because you must first terminate the biological parent's rights. If the biological parent is reluctant or cannot be located, a lawyer's help is needed to ensure that no one can make a future claim for custody of your child.
A stepparent adoption is only appropriate under certain circumstances or when the consent of the biological father is obtained. Adopting a stepchild brings legal reality to a parent-child relationship that already exists. It also makes it easier for the stepparent to deal with school and health care issues.
Attorney Consultation
To discuss your adoption case with me, attorney Christina Sandvoss, call 727-498-4418, 813-699-5442 or fill out my simple contact form.
