For many Rockford area families, adoption is an extremely joyous occasion, and is often one of the happier areas of family law. Most other areas of family law, such as divorce and child custody disputes, are adversarial in nature and both sides to the dispute are often times filled with negative emotions. However, when people come to the courthouse for an adoption proceeding, usually everyone leaves with smiles on their faces.
National Adoption Day is an event designed to raise awareness for children who are currently in foster homes, hoping to be adopted. It was recently celebrated in the Winnebago County courthouse in Rockford where 51 children were adopted into 32 different families. Nationally, approximately 4,500 children were adopted on National Adoption Day this year. Judges and staff volunteer their time to help finalize the adoptions, and Winnebago County is the only county in Illinois to participate in the event.
In addition to the children in foster homes waiting to be adopted, there are many other children seeking adoptive homes, and many families hope to adopt them. While the rewards of adoption are great, the process can be a long process. To conform with all the legalities involved with an adoption, many documents must be filled out and filed with the court.
Additionally, there are many different kinds of adoptions such as agency adoptions, independent adoptions, international adoptions for those adopting a child from a different country, step-parent adoptions and same-sex adoptions, just to name a few. Each type of adoption has its own nuances and filing requirements which may require the skill of an experienced family law attorney.
Despite the fact that complicated legal documents must be completed prior to adoption, for many Rockford families adoption is well worth it. Adoption can complete a family and give a child in need a loving home. A Rockford family law attorney can discuss the adoption process with a family and help them file the necessary paperwork in an attempt to bring a child into their home.
Source: Rockford Register Star, “51 children join 32 Rockford-area families during Adoption Day,” Brian Leaf, Nov. 23, 2013.