Trying to Make Us Three: Understanding the Maryland Adoption Process

The Maryland adoption process is set up to balance the rights of the child, biological parents and adoptive parents. During the Maryland adoption process, not only must the court must consider the best interest of the child, but must also keep in mind the adopted child’s right to be place in a safe and caring home. Accordingly, the Maryland adoption process is a very deliberate and orderly process, in which the courts and other interested parties must be mindful of the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved.

The Maryland Adoption Process in Montgomery County, Maryland, and Prince George’s County, Maryland

In Maryland, adoption is a multi-step process that can involve child welfare agencies, adoption agencies, and Maryland Circuit Courts. These agencies and institutions collaborate to ensure that adoptive parents are matched up with a child in need, and that the child will be placed in an appropriate foster home that will hopefully become a permanent home. However, during the Maryland adoption process, Maryland adoption laws not only require protecting the child’s welfare, but also requires that the rights of the child’s biological parents and prospective parents, are protected as well.

Considering Maryland Adoption Rights and Responsibilities

The adoption process respects the basic due process rights of the parties involved. These Maryland adoption rights and responsibilities, include the right to be informed of any proceeding which may impact your interests during the adoption process. In particular, the biological parents or legal guardians of the child being adopted have a right to be heard and to contest the proceedings at the appropriate time if they choose to do so. Further, due process requires that appropriate notice is provided to these individuals. The appropriate notice allows for biological parents or legal guardians be provided with adequate notice of any proceedings that may affect their rights as parents to the child being adopted.

In addition to the rights of the parties such as the adoptive parents or the biological parents or legal guardians of the child, the adoption process is also structured so that the rights of the child are protected. Accordingly, the adoption process is structured so that the child’s safety and well-being are protected by safeguards that make sure the foster parents and adoptive parents provide a suitable and nurturing environment for the adopted child.The Maryland adoption process protects the child’s well-being through a thorough vetting process that involves home studies and parental training to increase the likelihood hat the adoptive child’s interests will be protected.

Consult with an Experienced Maryland Adoption Lawyer in Prince George’s County, Maryland and Prince George’s County, Maryland

Counsel experienced in navigating the Maryland adoption process can provide advice as to how best to proceed and how to best prepare yourself to make the process go more smoothly. If you are seeking to adopt a child in Prince George’s County or Montgomery County, or you simply have questions about your rights as a parent, contact the Law Office of Lasheena M. Williams, LLC, at (301) 778 – 9950 or by leaving an online request for a consultation.

Our firm passionately represents clients across Rockville, Bethesda, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Chevy Chase, College Park, Cheverly, Greenbelt, Oxon Hill, Hyattsville, Upper Marlboro, Largo, Bowie and surrounding communities.