Long Island Family Lawyers Providing Assistance with Adoption

Effective legal support throughout the complex NY adoption process for families in Suffolk and Nassau Counties

Growing your family through adoption is an exciting goal. But the process can take more than a year from the time you choose an agency through the day the courts finalize the adoption. An experienced adoption attorney from Jakubowski, Robertson, Maffei, Goldsmith & Tartaglia, LLP provides advice and legal support to guide individuals in Suffolk County or anywhere in Long Island through the complex process.

Your family may need to formalize ties by adopting a loved one already in your care. Whether you are a stepparent, a same-sex parent, grandparent, a foster family or are otherwise caring for a child, we can help you adopt. Adopting children can be a complicated process. You can trust us to legalize the bonds you already share with kids growing up in your home.

Preparing for adoption

You must complete certain qualifying steps before the adoption process even begins. In its process description, the New York State Office of Children and Family Services explains that you must choose an adoption agency before submitting your application. Then you must undergo a lengthy home study process and attend training before you begin to work with a caseworker to find a child.

Choosing an agency requires making a number of educated decisions, and even proper completion of the application is important to ensure efficient handling of your case. In this early phase, the experienced adoption attorneys at Jakubowski, Robertson, Maffei, Goldsmith & Tartaglia, LLP in Long Island can provide the information you need to successfully qualify for adoption.

Bringing a child into your home

Once you receive approval of your home study, you work with the adoption agency to find and place a child in your home. Your overall goal is to get to know the child through a series of visitation sessions. The sessions can extend over weeks or months before the child comes to live with your family. Our attorneys can help by advising you along the way.

The final steps

The adoption is not complete when the child moves into your home. Most cases require a period of supervision for at least three months. During this period, an agency caseworker makes regular visits to ensure you and the child are comfortable with each other and that your family meets the needs of the child.

Upon agency consent to your petition for adoption, our attorneys assist you with the application for adoption through the courts, including handling the paperwork. Once the court finalizes the adoption, the child becomes an official member of your family.

Seek experienced legal support to guide you through the adoption process

The attorneys at Jakubowski, Robertson, Maffei, Goldsmith & Tartaglia, LLP provide advice and legal assistance from the qualification process through the time a child becomes a member of your family. And we remain available after finalization to provide advice and legal support for any special circumstances that may arise. To discuss your legal issues and learn how we can help you, contact us online or call us at 631-360-0400.