Revocation Period

In Maryland a birth parent has 30 calendar days to revoke their consent to an adoption.  In the District of Columbia consent is irrevocable upon execution for a private adoption and a birth parent has 7 days to revoke their consent to adoption if the baby is placed through an agency. 

Step Parent Adoption

Jennifer represented my step-dad to legally adopt me.  Jennifer informed me of all details for the adoption procedures and made certain that it was completely my choice.  I felt very good that she was our lawyer.  I was glad she told us in advance to bring a camera to take pictures with the judge.  She was very personal and it was a happy day for me.  I now have the same last name as my family with many thanks to Jennifer. 

-Vivi  

Step-Parent Adoption

Step-Parent Adoption

 A step-parent adoption is a type of independent adoption, where a step-parent adopts the child of their spouse, and the spouse maintains his/her legal rights. 

Step-parent adoptions can be sensitive, especially if the other biological/legal parent is still alive. With a step-parent adoption because the biological/legal parents’ parental rights would be terminated they must be notified and approve of the step-parent’s intent to adopt.

If the biological/legal parent cannot be found or refuses to consent, it is still possible for a court to grant the adoption. In this instance, the biological/legal parent must be notified of the adoption and provided an opportunity to object. If the legal parent does not object the adoption will be granted if it is in the best interest of the child. If a legal parent objects to the adoption, then the outcome is specific to each case. Jennifer has handled numerous step-parent adoptions in Maryland and the District of Columbia including ones contested by the legal parent.

Jennifer represents the step-parents, birth parents or the child (if older than 10 years of age) in step-parent adoptions. She has handled cases where the natural parent refuses to participate in the case or objects (making it a contested step-parent) as well as consensual cases.