Adoptions

The Law Office of Elizabeth Stup, LLC assists clients with adoptions in Frederick, Washington, Howard and Carroll counties in Maryland. We take a holistic approach to the adoption process, helping parents and children prepare for this fundamental change in their family structure and embrace the future with confidence. Whether you are a stepparent wishing to formalize your parental relationship, a foster parent giving the gift of a permanent home, or a pregnant woman seeking to do the best for yourself and your unborn child, our dedicated attorneys provide compassionate support through the entire adoption process.

Foster Parent Adoptions

When a child has been in foster care, often long term, and cannot be returned safely to his or her birth parents or relatives, a foster parent adoption may be in the best interests of the child. We regularly work with the Department of Social Services (DSS) in such cases, to assist the foster parents in adopting these children, always considering the safety and wellbeing of the child. Having worked with the biological parents, the children and the foster/adoptive parents at different times in our firm, we have a unique understanding of the CINA system.  We recognize that foster parent adoption has the potential to benefit not only the child being adopted, but also the foster family and the child welfare agency.

Termination of Parental Rights

Our firm also handles cases in which a child's biological parent is unable to continue raising the child, refuses to cooperate with a step-parent adoption, cannot be found in order to consent to a step-parent adoption or when the Department of Social Services has initiated a termination of parental rights. In some cases, we can petition the Court for the termination of the absent parent's rights if it is in the best interests of the child, and proceed to file a petition for adoption.

Stepparent Adoptions

Our firm has experience handling adoptions in which a stepparent seeks to adopt his or her spouse's child born from a previous relationship or marriage. With all parties working together openly and honestly, the biological parent can sign a consent allowing for his or her parental rights to pass directly to the adopting stepparent. Once consent is secured, we file a petition for adoption on behalf of our client with the local court. While the process can be straightforward, it is important to make sure that your rights and interests, as well as the interests of your child, are represented during every stage of a stepparent adoption. We possess the knowledge and experience to ensure that our clients' rights are protected.

Private Adoptions

Our attorneys represent clients in adoptions in which the biological parents have given consent to the adoption.  Our clients have included the biological parent, the child, as well as the adopting parent at different times. We understand and appreciate that a biological parent is making a brave and difficult decision when placing a baby up for adoption. Furthermore, establishing a legal, safe adoption plan requires caring, ethical, and secure adoptive parents. Recognizing the concerns and responsibilities of both parties to an adoption, as well as the child's interest and in some cases required consent, we work to guide our clients through the private adoption process as swiftly and smoothly as possible.

International Adoptions

We are qualified to handle international adoptions, which may involve additional legal intricacies. By working with a local immigration firm, our attorneys ensure that all foreign and domestic requirements are met, thus facilitating the adoption process for our clients.

Seek Experienced, Compassionate Representation

Our firm believes that adoption is a great gift, and we take pride in the role that we play as attorneys in helping our clients build their families. Please contact the Law Office of Elizabeth Stup, LLC for more information about adoption.