What You Need to Ask Before Hiring an Adoption Attorney in New Jersey

Essential Questions to Ask an Adoption Lawyer in New Jersey

The most recent data reveals that 1,063 adoptions were finalized in New Jersey in 2015, and many children are still hoping to find adoptive parents to provide them with a permanent home. Whether you are seeking a lawyer to help you with a current adoption in New Jersey or you are trying to find a child to adopt, hiring the right lawyer is important. Ask these five adoption questions to a prospective NJ adoption lawyer to aid you in your search.

1. How Many Years of Experience Does Your Firm Have in Handling Adoptions?

Many types of law firms can handle adoptions. However, not all firms make adoption their primary practice. When looking for a lawyer to handle your adoption in New Jersey, you will be well served to find a firm that is primarily devoted to adoption.

Our firm has over 25 years of experience handling adoptions. We are well acquainted with helping families grow through adoption. Because adoption is our area of primary concern, we have insights into strategies that lead to successful adoptions.

2. How Many Adoptions Has Your Firm Finalized in That Period?

Before you hire a New Jersey adoption attorney, you ought to verify that they have had success in finalizing adoptions. Hiring a lawyer with more experience in this area can make the process more comfortable for the adopting parents, providing peace of mind throughout the process.

Our primary lawyer, Mr. Cofsky, has successfully completed over 1,500 adoptions. In addition, he has represented and advised adoption agencies in various matters of the law throughout the years.

3. What Kinds of Adoptions Does Your Firm Offer?

There are many types of adoptions available in New Jersey, each with their unique complexities. If your adoption is nuanced, be sure to ask specifically about the lawyer’s experience in that area.

At Cofsky & Zeidman, we have experience in many types of adoptions, including private adoptions, agency adoptions, post-adoption issues, foreign adoptions and more.

4. What Qualifications Does the Lawyer Who Handles My Case Have?

Looking into the certifications and qualifications of your adoption lawyer can give you insight into their competence. If the attorney you are considering hiring shows excellence in the field, the entire adoption process may be simplified.

Our NJ adoption attorney, Mr. Cofsky, has been very active in the adoption community and has received awards for his service in this area. Here are some of his credentials and accomplishments:

 

    • Led workshops and lectures at many adoption seminars

 

    • Spoke about adoption-related topics on television

 

    • Is the former president of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys

 

    • Received the title of “Angel in Adoption” by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption in 2005

 

 

5. Can I Read Testimonials From Other Clients Who Have Had Successful Adoptions With Your Firm?

Before you hire a lawyer to represent you during the adoption process, you’ll want to read some testimonies from former clients. These accounts will give you insight into the quality of care and competence of the lawyer from real parents.

Our law firm, Cofsky & Zeidman, LLC, has received 5-star reviews from our previous clients. Marco writes:

“I could write volumes praising Mr. Cofsky. An online review is way too short to describe such an incredible attorney. Mr. Cofsky is professional, precise, knowledgeable, dependable…and most importantly, incredibly caring. He’s an awesome lawyer. I would hire him again in a heartbeat.”

Read more reviews here.

How to Schedule an Adoption Consultation Today

While the adoption process can be complicated, an attorney could help you get through the process. If you have additional adoption questions, schedule a confidential consultation to learn more about your rights and options. Our main office is located in Haddonfield, New Jersey. You can give us a call at (856) 429-5005 today. For additional ways to contact us, visit our contact portal.

Stepparent Adoption in New Jersey

Stepparent Adoption in New Jersey | Stepparent Adoption Lawyer

Blending your families can be an exciting experience but one that is complicated by the many legal rules surrounding stepparent adoption in New Jersey. Being knowledgeable about your rights is important but many people are not aware of the fact that the most common type of adoption within the state of New Jersey is that of a stepparent adopting a stepchild.

The sooner you talk to a lawyer, the easier it will be to understand what’s involved in stepparent adoption. Walking things through with a lawyer can help you avoid mistakes and ensure that this momentous and important occasion for your family is handled with care. With the right NJ adoption lawyer, you’ll feel well taken care of.

There are numerous different reasons why stepparent may decide to move forward with such a procedure. The stepparent may want to officially secure an inheritance for the child or all children in the household might want to have equal status. There might also be an additional purpose to secure and legalize the bond and commitment that have long been a reality between an existing stepparent and stepchild. It is quite different to go through a stepchild adoption than adopting a child through an agency or private adoption.

In order for an adult to adopt a stepchild, they have to be married to the biological parent of the child. Furthermore, the non-custodial parent’s rights must have already been terminated. This might be the first reason why you scheduled a consultation with a New Jersey adoption attorney. Biological parents’ rights can be terminated involuntarily or voluntarily. If the biological non-custodial parent intends to voluntarily terminate their parental rights, the non-custodial parent must sign a form that officially relinquishes his or her parental rights. In addition, an involuntary termination is often possible too.

A court order can establish this if the non-custodial parent cannot be located. Other reasons why a parent’s rights might be terminated include failure to comply with recommendations of the division of child protection in permanency, a court finding that the best interests of a child are represented with a termination of parental rights, or a conviction of abandonment, abuse, cruelty or neglect. If a non-custodial biological parent’s rights are terminated, they lose the ability to have parenting or custody time with the child.

That also means that the custodial parent cannot collect reimbursement of expenses or child support from the non-custodial parent. After a biological parent’s rights have been terminated involuntarily or voluntarily, a background check must be completed by the stepparent. This usually involves a check with multiple agencies and a verification to determine whether or not domestic violence charges have applied in the past. After this check is complete and the adoption hearing is scheduled, if the child is older than 10, that child has to be present during the hearing. The stepparent becomes the official legal parent of the child and enjoins the same duties, relationships and obligations as if the child were born to that parent directly. This includes rights of inheritance.

Stepparent adoption can be especially complex if you are not familiar with the rights or the common challenges involved. For this reason, you will want to consult with an experienced attorney immediately to protect your interests from the outset of your concerns. Filing all of the proper paperwork and staying on top of the timelines associated with a stepparent adoption are extremely important for you as well as your loved ones and proper adherence to all of this documentation and the rules of the court can make things smooth for everyone involved.

Contact Our Office

To set up an appointment, call us in Haddonfield at 856-429-5005 or in Woodbury at 856-845-2555. We can also be reached in Philadelphia at 215-563-2150 or by e-mail.

Who Can Adopt and How in New Jersey?

New Jersey Adoption Lawyer

When you are interested in adopting a child in New Jersey, it’s important to be aware of the responsibilities and the rights afforded to you, as well as what to expect in an adoption home study. The stages of an adoption are many, and they can also be complex if you don’t have an attorney working for you. When you get legal insight early on in the process, however, you’ll feel more confident with each step.

A proper understanding of the process in advance after speaking directly with your New Jersey adoption attorney can give you better peace of mind about the complexities of the process. An adoptive parent must be 10 years older than the child scheduled to be adopted and be age 18 or older.

A married individual can petition the local court to adopt a child with written consent of his or her spouse, if living separate apart from his or her spouse or jointly with the spouse named in the same case. If the prospective parents do not live in New Jersey at the time, they can still adopt within the state if the child is born in NJ or if they worked with a New Jersey licensed adoption agency.

What are the Rights and Responsibilities of an Adoptive Parent in NJ?

Certain requirements established under New Jersey law enable certain rights and duties afforded to adopted parents. New Jersey laws were written to demonstrate that intended adopted parents are fit and suitable for a child.

After the adoption process is started, an adoption home study will be scheduled. This is the formal assessment from an approved agency to determine the readiness and the capacity of any prospective adoptive parents, including the agency’s recommendations and written report. The primary basis for the home study is to figure out whether or not the prospective adoptive parents are capable of providing a nurturing, healthy and safe environment for a minor.

In addition to visiting the intended parents’ home directly, the home study might also include interviews with prospective parents and others living in that same home, review of references from the prospective parents – including personal references and employers, verification and employment and income, and health assessments of the parents.

Before a placement can occur in the state of New Jersey, a thorough home study assessment needs to be completed. This needs to be done for all private adoptions done on an interstate basis as well. Families that are looking to adopt a child who is currently in state custody will have to go through a more comprehensive education and home study process.

Any adoptive family that will ultimately finalize their adoption through the courts within New Jersey will also have to undergo criminal background checks with your individual state of residence and the FBI. Child abuse registry checks are also completed through your current state of residence and any location in which you or the other adopted parent have lived in within the last five years. It is strongly recommended to work with an experienced New Jersey adoption attorney whether you intend to adopt domestically in private placement or through a private agency adoption. The right attorney can provide you with further insight about how the home study works and what you can do to prepare.

Given that this a nerve wracking and exciting time for the adoptive parents, the insight of a lawyer who is dedicated to working for your best interests, can be extremely valuable. To get your questions answered promptly, schedule a consultation with an experienced New Jersey adoption lawyer today.

Contact Our Office

To set up an appointment, call us in Haddonfield at 856-429-5005 or in Woodbury at 856-845-2555. We can also be reached in Philadelphia at 215-563-2150 or by e-mail.

How to Choose the Right Professional or Adoption Agency to Assist You

Choosing an Adoption Agency

When you or you and a partner intend to adopt a child, you need to select the right people to support you throughout the process. This can be an overwhelming and complex procedure if you are not familiar with how to proceed.

What to Look for in Putting Together a Team for Adoption

The right adoption professional in conjunction with the other people you use to support your growing family such as an adoption attorney can make a significant impact over how you feel about the experience and your ability to move through the process with minimal stress and confusion. Furthermore, finding the appropriate adoption professional to work with you can increase your chances of a powerful and positive adoption experience.

Whether you are working with an adoption attorney, an adoption agency or a facilitator for adoption, the right professional can help you avoid risks of adoption such as scams and disruption. There are thousands of different adoption agencies across the country, but there are certain steps you can follow to ensure you are working with the right one.

The first step is to engage in research. Remember that how you choose to adopt will require different adoption professionals. Make sure you begin making phone calls and call around until you find someone you are confident in working with. You should also be highly prepared for adoption interviews.

Be Prepared with What You’ll Need to Provide

Certain adoption professionals might ask you direct questions about your personal history, finances, lifestyle, health, career, and education. It may be hard to disclose this information over the phone, but remember that it is part of the adoption process. This is also a chance for you to interview the professional you are thinking about working with. Do this by asking questions.

Know the Fees Upfront for Adoption

Getting the critical information such as how much it will cost and when these fees are due can give you a better overview of what to expect. One powerful way to ensure you are working with the right adoption professional is to look for a positive proof.

Make Sure You Read Reviews

Start looking for reputable reviews of adoptions, whether successful or unsuccessful.

Third party validation associated with the adoption professional you are working with is highly valuable to ensure that you are being discriminating enough to find the right person. This process is known as doing your due diligence. Just as the adoption professionals will be looking carefully at you and your loved ones as you move through the process, you need to ensure you have selected the right person to work with you. You can:

  • Check directly with better business peers to see if complaints have been lodged against the organization.
  • Join parent support groups to find previous clients of the agencies you are looking into.
  • Review online comments and testimonials about the company.

There are also warning signs to be aware of as you move forward with an adoption. First of all, does what the company offer seem too good to be true or do they have no affiliations with other reputable and other professional organizations? If the company engages in questionable behavior like asking for the fees to be paid upfront or refusing to provide you with an itemized list of what’s required from you over the course of the process, you may wish to avoid working with this particular adoption professional. The right adoption attorney is a significant benefit to you as you go throughout the process to minimize your own stress and anxiety.

Contact Our Office

To set up an appointment, call us in Haddonfield at 856-429-5005 or in Woodbury at 856-845-2555. We can also be reached in Philadelphia at 215-563-2150 or by e-mail.

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