Adoption
Adoption is the legal creation of a parent-child relationship by judicial order between people who are not a natural parent and the child. An adoption begins with the filing of a Petition for Adoption in Circuit Court. If the natural parents can be found, they are given the opportunity to consent or object to the adoption. Investigations and reports are filed with the court, and a hearing is held. When the court orders an adoption, it also ends the legal rights and responsibilities of the natural parents. After adoption, the new parent-child relationship is no different than the relationship between a natural parent and child. Maryland does not bar adults from being adopted. There are three different kinds of adoptions: public agency adoptions, private agency adoptions, and independent adoptions. James Thomas has handled all three types of adoptions. Let him put his experience to work for you.