It is an honor to assist your family with an adoption. If you are considering an adoption, call Julia Spannaus for a consultation. It is essential that you consult an experienced adoption attorney regarding your situation.
Adoptions are a complex and evolving area of law, and you should pick an attorney with the experience necessary to guide you through this process. Julia Spannaus has practiced since 2007 in the area of child welfare law. She has completed numerous agreed adoptions and contested Termination of Parental Rights proceedings, including appeals. She reviews and comments on emerging legislation through her work on the TBA Adoption Section. It is important to have someone with experience review the facts of your case to ensure the best possible outcome.
Relatives and Step-Parents
Adoptions between relatives or as a step-parent can be affordable and quick proceedings, if both biological parents are in agreement. If one or both parents have been absent for some time, an experienced adoption lawyer can complete the adoption process efficiently for you.
Sometimes a relative or step parent will need to choose whether to adopt or to pursue an extended custody arrangement. Consulting an attorney who works extensively in adoption, custody and divorce will give you the well-rounded advice that you need to decide the best course of action for you and the child in your life.
Foster Parents
Adoption by a foster parent is typically free to you. The agency DCS permits you to select an attorney of your choosing, who in turn will bill the State for the costs of your adoption. You want an attorney who ensures you have all of the information you need from the Department of Children’s Services during the process of completing your adoption.
Depending upon the child’s circumstances, you may be eligible for an adoption subsidy following the adoption. It is important to have an attorney to provide a second look when signing your subsidy contracts. DCS Adoption Subsidy information can be found here, in their Adoption Subsidy Manual. Julia will help you navigate these adoption subsidy questions to ensure that you and your child are in the best position to move forward together as a family.
Sometimes, foster parents require legal advice while working with foster children. The foster parent spends the most time with the child of anyone involved in their case, but they often have the least information about the legal process. You have the right to speak with an attorney to gain an understanding of the legal process of children living in foster care, as well as to learn your rights as a foster parent and caretaker of a child. Fostering children is a complex role, and you need all of the advice you can get to be sure you are navigating this path as best you can.
Contested Adoptions
A contested adoption is a long and stressful process. A contested adoption is any instance in which you seek to adopt a child and the parent either disagrees, or cannot be found, or is incompetent to sign forms to agree. A contested adoption is sometimes the only option to ensure the safety and wellbeing of a child in your care.
It is essential that you select an adoption attorney who is experienced in this highly complex area of law. A contested adoption is major litigation, requiring an attorney who has the knowledge necessary to take you through to the end. These cases are often appealed, and Julia is experienced and successful in drafting appeals paperwork. Call Julia today to decide if this is the best option for you.
Primary Counties of practice: Blount, Knox, Loudon and Monroe. This includes the cities of Knoxville, Farragut, Alcoa, Maryville, Rockford, Lenoir City, Loudon, Townsend, Madisonville, Sweetwater, and all other communities within those counties.
Additional Counties of practice: Julia will travel to any additional counties in East or Middle Tennessee as needed for your case.
Contact Julia Spannaus now, at (865) 984-1923, to set up a consultation.