ATHENS GA CHILD ADAPTION LAWYER

Athens GA Child Adaption Lawyer

The Adoption Laws in GA You Should Know

Georgia statutes address certain aspects of adoption law. The following information outlines the issues that Georgia’s adoption statutes address. There are certain details that Georgia adoption law does not address, like what would deny a home study evaluation.

If you find yourself in a gray area regarding adoption law, please consult with your adoption attorney. If you do not already have an adoption attorney, call Athens GA Child Adoption Lawer to join our agency and receive references for legal representation. Always remember that this article does not serve as legal advice.

Who Can Adopt?

To adopt a child in Georgia, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 25 years old or married and living with your spouse
• Be at least 10 years older than the child you are adopting
• Be financially, physically and mentally able to have permanent custody of the child

If you are married, you must file to adopt jointly. In a stepparent adoption, the stepparent’s spouse does not need to join in the adoption petition.

Who Can Advertise for Adoption?

A new Georgia adoption law that went into effect in September 2018 banned advertisements and adoption payments from facilitators. Because this can be a complicated area of adoption law, it is important to work with an adoption professional like Athens GA Child Adaption Lawyer or a local adoption attorney to understand adoption laws in Georgia regarding advertising and facilitators. Your adoption specialist at Athens GA Child Adaption Lawyer can help you find an adoption opportunity and mediate contact to ensure all laws are being followed.

Who is The Legal Birth Father in Georgia?

According to Georgia adoption law, a man is considered a child’s legal father if:

• He has legally adopted the child
• He was married to the child’s biological mother at the time of conception or birth, unless his paternity was disproved by the court
• He married the legal mother of the child after the child was born and recognized the child as his own, unless his paternity has been disproved
• He has been determined to be the father by a final paternity order
• He legitimized the child by a final order and has not surrendered or had his rights to the child terminated

A man who wishes to acknowledge paternity or the possibility of paternity of a child before or after birth may register with the state’s putative father registry. His registration may be used to establish an obligation to support the child. Registration also entitles him to notice of an adoption proceeding or proceedings to terminate parental rights.

The father of a child born out of wedlock may also legitimize his relationship with the child by petitioning the court to have legal custody or guardianship of the child. The child’s mother will be served and provided an opportunity to be heard. The court may pass an order declaring the father’s relationship with the child legitimate.