Adoptions in Norfolk Virginia
Norfolk VA Adoption Lawyer
There are two forms of legal adoption in the commonwealth of Virginia, agency and non-agency placements. These are somewhat self explanatory, but to edify, agency placements are done through the social services arm of local governments and through licensed adoption agencies. Non-agency placements usually take place when a family member wants to adopt a child whose parents are either absent or unable to care for the child for some reason.
When you decide that you would like to adopt a child through an agency in Virginia, you will need to fill out an application that will ask for some detailed personal information. You will then be required to go through a period of home study. This is when you and all of the members of your family will sit down and discuss the proposed adoption in great detail with a social worker. There is a lot to be considered when you adopt a child, and this addition to the fold will impact your entire family, so the social worker will want to make sure that you understand the challenges involved. The state does not ask for you and your family to be perfect people, because all families have their ups and downs. They just want to make sure that the environment is conducive to the addition of another family member and that everyone concerned knows exactly what they are getting into.
Once you go through the home study period, the next step in the standard Virginia agency adoption process is to select the child that you want to adopt. You will be shown pictures of the children that are available for placement, and get all of the information about them that is available. If you make a selection and decide to proceed, you then visit with the child a number of times under the supervision of the social worker assigned to the case. If all goes well, the child will be placed with you when the social worker decides that the time is right. The social worker is then required to visit a minimum of three times to help to ensure a smooth transition. Under Virginia adoption law the child must live under your roof for at least six months before the adoption can become final and legally binding.
