Legal Adoptions and Guardianships in Sonoma County, California
Providing Individualized Solutions to Family Needs
In today's world blended families are quite common. Many times a child's biological parent will marry a person who wishes to pursue legal adoption of his or her spouse's child. At the Challoner Law, we work with families who chose to bring their family together through the process of stepparent adoption.
Sonoma County adoption attorney Morna G. Challoner recognizes each adoption case is unique, requiring personalized legal representation. Whether your adoption situation involves terminating the parental rights of an absentee biological parent or you are a grandparent wishing to formally adopt your grandchild, Ms. Challoner never loses sight of what matters most — the well-being of all parties concerned. To arrange a consultation, contact our firm by calling 707-304-5237 or 866-930-8642.
Stepparent and Family Member Adoption
Although the adoption process may seem complex, in reality, with the help of an experienced lawyer, it can go quite smoothly. The most important matter in either a stepparent or grandparent adoption involves terminating the rights of the biological parent or parents. In many cases, biological parents amicably agree to sign away their rights. When a biological parent cannot be located, it is possible for us to petition the court for an involuntary termination, allowing the adoption to move forward.
Establishing a Guardianship
In some situations, a biological parent is not the right person to care for a child. Child abuse or neglect due to substance abuse issues, psychological impairment or other matter of ineptitude is still abuse or neglect. In these cases, removing the child from the care of his or her parent may be in the child's best interests.
If you are a grandparent or other relative that seeks to gain legal guardianship over a child due to inappropriate care on the part of the child's parent, our law firm can help. We will assist you in filing a motion with the courts, working to convince them there is a clear-cut reason for you to have guardianship over the child.
Contact us to schedule an appointment at our office near the Sonoma County Civil and Family Law Courthouse.
