Adoption Law

Adoption Attorney in Southern Utah

At Ruesch & Reeve, PLLC, our Utah adoption attorneys work with couples desiring to adopt. The law office of Ruesch & Reeve is helping couples build their families and bring their dreams to fruition through adoption.

If you are considering adoption in the state of Utah, particularly a private or interstate adoption, one of the most important first steps is consulting with an experienced Utah adoption law attorney.  There are steps taken that must be followed in order to formalize and legalize any adoption. We have extensive experience and are passionate about helping couples and birth parents navigate the complex adoption process.  Our adoption attorneys will guide you through every step, helping you understand your rights and responsibilities.

Although adoption is an incredibly rewarding experience, it can also be confusing, frustrating, and emotional.  Our focus is to minimize your stress.  We make sure all legal issues are covered to keep the adoption moving along as smoothly as possible so you can direct your attention to preparing your “forever home.”

Utah, like all states, requires adopting parents to adhere to respective state rules and guidelines.  Through the Utah Adoption Act,  adoptions are closely regulated to include who can adopt, who can be adopted, and the legal requirements involving both situations and more.  These rules and laws are in place to ensure the best interests of the child remain the primary focus.  Whether you are in a traditional marriage, same-sex marriage, a step-parent, or a single parent who wants to adopt, we can help with the often-complicated adoption process.

 We provide services in a wide range of situations including:

Most domestic adoptions of a child under age 18 have two distinct phases.  First, the rights of the birth parents and/or legal parents must be addressed, and second, documentation required by law to allow a judge to “finalize” (or complete) an adoption must be gathered and/or prepared. Once these two phases are completed, a judge will sign an adoption order that legally creates a relationship between the child and the new parent or parents.

Below is a general outline of steps we take to make sure your adoption safe and legal:

• A petition for adoption of the child is filed with the court
• Attorney develops a plan to terminate the parental rights of all birth or legal parents of the child
• Birth father signs a Consent to Adoption or Denial of Paternity according to state law where the child will be born, or a check of the birth state’s paternity registry is made
• Child is born
• The birth mother signs a Consent to Adoption according to Utah law or state law where the child is born (usually between 24 hours or up to three days after birth)
• The child is placed with adoptive parents and waiting period begins (six months in Utah)
• Paperwork is filed with a court based on birth parent consents to adoption requesting the court order official temporary custody of the child be with adoptive parents pending finalization of the adoption
• Post-placement supervisory visits are made to the adoptive family, and subsequent reports are prepared
• Attorney gathers or prepares all documents required by law for the finalization of the adoption
• A hearing date is set for “finalization”
• Adoptive parents appear in court with the child and their attorney for the official adoption day
• Judge signs adoption order

We here at Ruesch & Reeve have helped many families achieve their adoption goals.