Most people think that a family law attorney does adoptions because well…isn’t adoption part of “family law”? Well, this is the thing: Adoption is part of “family law” because it’s about families, but practically speaking, that’s not how it actually works when you get out in the real world. The reality is that “family law” is actually heavily focused on divorces, child custody and child support issues. When I was in law school, we only spent one class on adoptions during an

Adopting a stepchild in Nebraska can seem confusing and complicated, but it does not have to be. Finding an experienced adoption attorney is the first step to starting the process of adopting your stepchild in Nebraska. An experienced adoption attorney is necessary to start the process because of some of the complex issues that can come up in adoptions. At the very least, the adoption attorney can advise you on whether your case can proceed with the stepparent adoption at t

If you are considering pursuing any type of adoption, whether it’s a stepparent adoption, domestic adoption, international adoption, relative adoption, adult adoption or a foster care adoption, I highly recommend that you speak with an experienced adoption attorney. Adoptions can be complicated and you will need to hire an attorney who has navigated the changing waters of adoption law and is able to guide you through the legal process. I have helped many clients who original

One of the most common questions I get asked is “Can you adopt an adult?”. It may seem strange to a lot of people, but in Nebraska, an adult may be adopted by another adult, so long as all of the statutory requirements are met. Whether it is the 21 year old young woman who wants her stepmother to adopt her, or the stepfather who just never got around to adopting his stepchild and desires to do so after he/she has become an adult, there are various scenarios in which an adult

The number one question I get asked when folks call my law office regarding a step-parent adoption is (drum roll please): How Much Does it Cost to do a Step-parent adoption? Sometimes, these folks have already called a couple of law offices before calling mine and have already received several quotes. Other times, they have received a quote from well-meaning people in their circle of influence. The price that a lawyer in Nebraska charges to complete a step-parent adoption va

Can an adoption without parental consent be completed in Nebraska? To be more specific, can a stepparent adoption be done in Nebraska without the absent parent’s (usually the biological father) consent? The answer is a big MAYBE. Each case is so different that it is impossible to answer this question without knowing the facts of each stepparent adoption case. Here are two very general examples: Example 1 - Biological father is not on the birth certificate. However, has bee

Do you wonder whether having an adoption attorney is really necessary? After all, you may already have a caseworker through an adoption agency and a counselor helping you process this decision. A legal aide can be invaluable through the process. Your adoption attorney is another team member on your side whose role is to ensure that your rights are protected, no matter what choice you ultimately make after your child is born. Here is what I would like an expectant mother to kn