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Adoption

Adoption lawyers - Stacks Law Firm

When you have made the decision to adopt a child, you want the process to be swift and free of complications. A Stacks family law expert will be able to explain the process and assist you through the requirements of the relevant accredited adoption services in your state.

Adoption is when an adult is granted the legal and other responsibilities for a child, creating a permanent parent-child relationship and prescribing parental responsibility for the child. There are different legal processes to navigate depending on the situation in which adoption is occurring, and which state of Australia you reside in.

Stacks Law Firm is here to help you navigate through the adoption process with sensitivity and efficiency.

Need to speak to a family lawyer about an adoption matter? Call us today

Commonly asked questions about adoption

Adoption is the legal process by which all of the legal rights and obligations of a child are transferred to his or her adoptive parents, with the child joining the family as a recognised family member. The adoptive parents assume all parental responsibility for the child, while the birth parents cease to have any parental rights over the child. Adoption removes the legal relationship between the child and the birth parents.

Adoption arrangements differ depending on the state in which you reside.

Recent changes to the Adoption Act have meant that the adoption process is administered through Community Services in NSW. The process is now more streamlined and fairer for couples, and importantly, the rights of the child are better protected.

Family and Community Services is the government agency responsible for providing adoption services for NSW. The agency works with birth parents who are considering adoption for their child and with families who wish to adopt.

There are set adoption procedures and requirements to follow in applying to adopt a child, including filling out an Expression of Interest form, attending a preparation for adoption seminar, and filing a formal application for adoption. You can find out more about the adoption process for adoptive applicants, including the costs and the criteria for prospective adoptive parents, at the Family and Community Services website.

In Queensland, Adoption Services is responsible for the provision of adoption services. There are very specific criteria that must be met for a person to be eligible to adopt a child. If you meet these criteria, you need to follow an established set of procedures, including filing an Expression of Interest form. Once this is done, you will be notified if you meet the eligibility requirements, and will then have your name entered into the expression of interest register.

If selected from this register, you will be sent a notice of selection for assessment. The number of people to be selected for assessment from the expression of interest register varies each year, as the number of assessments is based on the anticipated needs of children likely to require adoptive placements.

Should you not receive a notice of selection for assessment within two years, your expression of interest expires, and you can then decide whether or not to lodge another expression of interest.

Our experts

Anneka Frayne

Anneka Frayne

Director
TamworthLeura
Phone Anneka Tel(02) 6767 2000
David Thompson

David Thompson

Solicitor Director
Hornsby
Phone David Tel(02) 9476 2788
Ian Graham

Ian Graham

Lawyer
Forster
Phone Ian Tel(02) 6554 7766
Ashleigh Flanagan

Ashleigh Flanagan

Senior Associate
Laurieton
Phone Ashleigh Tel02 6559 8845
Sayesha Bali

Sayesha Bali

Lawyer
Hornsby
Phone Sayesha Tel(02) 9476 2788
Justine Cavanagh

Justine Cavanagh

Paralegal
Hornsby
Phone Justine Tel02 9476 2788
Molly Hayter

Molly Hayter

Solicitor
Tamworth
Phone Molly Tel(02) 6767 2000
Felicity Marchant

Felicity Marchant

Lawyer
Laurieton
Phone Felicity Tel02 6559 8845
Mark Shumsky

Mark Shumsky

Lawyer
Hornsby
Phone Mark Tel(02) 9476 2788
Olivia Galvin

Olivia Galvin

Paralegal
Tamworth
Phone Olivia Tel(02) 6767 2000
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We’ll always be honest and upfront. We’ll look you straight in the eye and agree on a plan before moving forward.

We know the ropes and our professionals have expertise specific to every legal situation—many are Accredited Specialists.

We speak clearly and directly, so you understand our advice and can make decisions with confidence.

We’re local to wherever you are, and our offices are owned and operated by friendly, local professionals, proud of their communities.

We genuinely care about our clients. It’s the core of who we are and has been since the first practice was opened by ER Stack on the NSW Mid-North Coast in 1931.

We make the process easy for you with the latest tech to keep services cost effective—and you in control.

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