Locust Adoption Attorney

Adoption is an amazing way to add to a happy family. Whether it’s making a stepparent a legal parent or welcoming a new child into your care, it is a life-changing moment in any parent’s life. Unfortunately, the legal procedure can be complex and troublesome. A Locust, NC adoption lawyer can aid you in the process, helping fill out the needed paperwork and prepare you for the new family member. Guidance from a family lawyer in Locust can make this transition much smoother, ensuring every legal step is handled with care.

Our Background

Lehnhardt Price Family Law is dedicated to providing assistance to prospective parents. We’ve been aiding adoption cases in Locust and the surrounding areas for many years. Managing partner Dana B. Lehnhardt is a Board-Certified Family Law Specialist and was named one of the 50 Most Influential Women in 2017 by Mecklenburg Times. Our team has the experience and knowledge to help your adoption case.

Types of Adoption Cases We Can Help With

The 2020 census found that 1,939,138 people were adopted that year. Each one of those people had a unique journey that led to their right family. Our family law firm can help with whatever your situation. The following are a few types of adoption common in North Carolina: 

• Stepparent adoption: This is one of the most common and quickest types of adoption in North Carolina. The legal requirement for stepparents to adopt their child is that they are married to the biological parent for at least six months. During this period, the stepparent must live primarily with their spouse and child.
• Relative adoption: This is another common type of adoption. Relative adoption is focused on someone who is biologically related to the child and wishes to become their parent. Reasons behind relative adoption can be sensitive, revolving around the belief that the biological parent is unfit care for their child.
• Agency adoption: Unlike the previous types, agency adoptions have little existing bond between the petitioner and adoptee. Agency adoptions can be carried out through a public department such as the Department of Social Services or a licensed, privately operated agency.

Matter Types We Handle

At Lehnhardt Price Family Law, we provide comprehensive legal services across all areas of family law. Our experienced attorneys are dedicated to guiding you through life’s most important legal matters with compassion, expertise, and personalized attention.

Our Practice Areas

Family Law: Our comprehensive family law practice encompasses all aspects of domestic relations, from pre-marital agreements to complex family disputes. We provide sensitive, strategic legal guidance tailored to your unique circumstances.

Divorce: We provide skilled representation throughout the divorce process, whether uncontested or complex litigation. Our attorneys work to protect your interests while seeking efficient resolutions that minimize stress for you and your family.

Child Support: We handle all aspects of child support matters, including initial determinations, modifications, and enforcement actions. Our goal is to establish fair and sustainable arrangements for all parties involved.

Child Custody: We represent parents in custody determinations, visitation schedules, and parenting plan development. Our attorneys work to serve your children’s best interests while protecting your parental rights.

Spousal Support: We assist clients with alimony determinations, modifications, and enforcement. Our attorneys work to ensure fair spousal support arrangements that reflect each party’s financial circumstances and needs.

Prenuptial Agreements: We help couples create comprehensive prenuptial agreements that protect their assets and establish clear financial expectations. Our attorneys ensure these agreements are legally sound and enforceable.

Domestic Violence: We provide immediate legal protection for victims of domestic violence, including restraining orders and safety planning. Our attorneys understand the urgency and sensitivity required in these critical situations.

The Adoption Process

The exact adoption process will be different for type of adoption. The following is a simplified overview of the steps required to adopt a child in Locust:

• Meeting with your adoption authority: For agency adoptions, this is a meeting with a Department of Social Services worker or a private agency. Stepchild and relative adoptions can refer to a lawyer for guidance with paperwork.
• Pre-Placement Assessment (PPA): This is the process needed to prove that you will provide a safe place for your child. Also known as a home study, your PPA will involve written statements and interviews with family members, ensuring the home’s safety, and inspecting your financial records.
• Pre-placement matching & visits: If you do not know the adoptee, this step will occur when you are matched with a child. You will have a few months for them to visit, ensuring a bond before finalization.
• Paperwork & judge approval: You must file a Petition For Adoption. This is filed with the Clerk of Court for either Stanly County or Cabarrus County, or wherever the Petitioners and/or adoptee reside.

Completion. A judge will review your adoption case. In some cases, a hearing is required.  If approved, you will receive a Decree of Adoption. At this point, the adoption process is complete.

FAQs About Locust, NC Adoption Law

How Much Does Adoption Cost in North Carolina?

The cost of an adoption in North Carolina depends on the type of adoption. Adopting a stepchild, a relative, or a child through the foster care system tends to be less expensive. Adopting through a private agency can be much more expensive, with sums in the thousands. The exact cost will vary, and additional fees can come up in any adoption case.

Is a Home Study Always Necessary in North Carolina?

A home study may not always be necessary in North Carolina. The state allows for home study to be waived if the adoption is for a stepparent or relative and certain requirements are met. For agency adoptions, PPAs are always necessary.

What Disqualifies You From Adopting in North Carolina?

The agency of legal authority that is assessing your case may disqualify you from adopting in North Carolina for a variety of reasons. A criminal background involving violent, sexual, or drug crimes may make them decline your adoption. Unstable housing or employment are other factors that can harm your adoption chances. Finally, if you are difficult during the legal proceedings or miss deadlines, your case may be delayed or denied.

How Long Are Adoption Cases in Locust, North Carolina?

The length of an adoption case in Locust depends on the type of adoption and all contributing factors. There is no set time frame, leading to some cases taking months, while others take years. Mistakes in paperwork, objections from biological parents, and court delays can all add to the timeline. A Locust adoption attorney can review your case and provide an estimate on how long they think your specific case will take.

Hire an Adoption Lawyer Today

Adoption cases can be as complicated as they are exciting. A biological family member or a bureaucratic agency can add complexities to adopting your child. Hire an adoption lawyer who can guide you through the process.

At Lehnhardt Price Family Law, we can support you through your adoption case. You deserve an experienced legal team behind you, ready for whatever issues arise. Contact us today for an initial consultation so we can learn your story and start reviewing your options. You may also visit our Monroe office, located on Lancaster Avenue across from Gateway Park.

Serving Locust and the Greater Stanly County Area

When you’re facing challenging family law matters in Locust or throughout the surrounding Stanly County region, you need attorneys who understand both the complexities of North Carolina family law and the close-knit nature of our local communities. At Lehnhardt Price Family Law, we recognize that family legal issues – whether divorce, child custody, or support matters – require not just legal expertise but also sensitivity to the personal relationships and community connections that matter most in smaller towns.

Located conveniently to serve Locust and the greater Charlotte metropolitan area, our dedicated family law practice brings Board-Certified expertise and proven courtroom experience to clients throughout Stanly County and beyond. Managing Partner Dana B. Lehnhardt’s certification as a Family Law Specialist, combined with Partner Jessica E. Price’s decade of legal experience and personal understanding of parenting challenges, ensures you receive both technical excellence and compassionate guidance during difficult times.

Whether you’re dealing with a contested divorce involving local business assets, navigating child custody arrangements that must work within Locust’s school systems and community activities, or addressing support issues that affect your family’s future in this growing area, partnering with experienced Locust family law attorneys who understand both North Carolina law and the unique dynamics of Stanly County communities can be essential to achieving outcomes that truly serve your family’s best interests.