Steps to Take When Adopting

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• When you decide to pursue adoption, your first
  steps will involve getting to know as much as
  possible about how adoption works in your state.
• It may seem intimidating at first, but the more
  you familiarize yourself with adoption law in
  Nevada and all the services available to help you
  along, the easier it will get.
• The great reward after a complex process is
  having the chance to share your home and your
  life with a child who needs you.

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• Legal requirements vary, depending on the status
  of each child. Some adoptions are handled by
  public state and county agencies, and others can
  be handled privately, by a qualified Las Vegas
  adoption attorney. Consider private adoption with
  the help of an attorney for

• Blood-related children the children of a blood
  relative who cannot care for them. The biological
  parent must consent, or their parental rights
  must first be legally terminated. 1
• Stepchildren blended families, or children of
  separated and divorced biological parents may be
  adopted by a stepparent. The same parental
  consent requirements apply as for blood-related
  children. 1

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• Adopting non-blood related children requires more
  complex legal steps. Work through licensed
  private agencies or state and county child
  welfare agencies.
• Public agencies primarily handle adoptions of
  special needs infants and children. Find out the
  requirements for adopting special needs kids.
• If eligible, you will be placed on an inquiry
  list, until contacted for a home study program (a
  background investigation). When approved, you are
  placed on a waiting list.
• This is a great time to find support networks and
  learn about how to welcome a new, adopted child.

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• There is more flexibility in the type of
  adoptions parents choose than ever before. Think
  through the short-term and long-term consequences
  of each approach for you and the child before
  deciding how yours will work.
• Traditional adoption adoption agency selects the
  child. There is no contact between birth and
  adopting families, and no identities are shared.
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• Semi-traditional adoption birth parents read
  home studies (without identifying information)
  and participate in choosing adoptive families.
  Adopters see non-identifying information about
  birth parents, and there is no face-to-face
  contact. 2

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• Semi-open adoption birth parents read home
  studies, minus identifying information, and help
  choose the adopting family. Birth and adopting
  parents will meet face-to-face. 2
• Open adoption birth and adopting parents
  mutually agree on how much identifying
  information they will share. 2
• Both birth mother and father must sign a Consent
  to Adopt, but not before 72 hours after the
  birth. (Exception if one or both birth parents
  have their parental rights terminated). 2

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• You may not qualify as eligible to adopt in
  certain circumstances. Some of the disqualifying
  factors include if you
• give birth to a child
• adopt a non-special needs child
• move out of state
• move and cannot be contacted
• have 2 or more birth children, 2 or more adopted
  children who are non-special needs, or adult
  children living at home for more than 18 months3

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• As an adoptive parent, you will fulfill a special
  mission, and have years of joy to share with your
  growing children. Ensure a smooth process and a
  happy future for them by becoming fully
  acquainted with the legal and social demands of
  adoption.
• If you adopt a special needs child through an
  agency, learn about their particular needs and
  the specialized services available.
• Additional requirements apply when you adopt an
  infant through a public agency. If a special
  needs adoption is not for you, contact a private
  or international adoption agency, and consult a
  qualified adoption attorney.

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• McFarling Law Group, founded in 2003, is
  committed to improving the lives of families
  through advocacy, service, and conflict
  resolution.
• Emily McFarling, Esq. is an award-winning
  certified family law specialist who has helped
  many families successfully complete adoptions.
• Contact us at 702-565-4335, or visit
  www.mcfarlinglaw.com.

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• http//www.mcfarlinglaw.com/practice-areas/adoptio
  n/
• 2. http//dcfs.nv.gov/Programs/CWS/Adoption/Guide/
  FAQs/
• 3. http//dcfs.nv.gov/Programs/CWS/Adoption/Guide/
  InfantAdoptions/