Adoption agencies in Louisiana want to make sure that the children go to safe, loving homes. For this reason, you’ll have to meet certain qualifications before you can legally adopt a child. Most of the qualifications aren’t particularly difficult, but they’re still necessary for a child’s well-being.
What qualifications do you need to adopt a child?
According to family law, you have to be married or a single person who’s at least 18 or older. Relatives and step-parents of the child can file for adoption if they meet this qualification. However, they’ll also need to have custody of the child for at least six months before they can file for adoption.
You’ll also have to meet certain emotional qualifications. Before you can adopt a child, you’ll have to prove that you’re happy about the prospect and willing to bring a child into your home. This means that you’ll have to tell your friends and relatives and appear to be happy about the situation. If you’ve been unable to conceive a child in the past, you’ll need to process your grief before you start talking to adoption agencies.
Contrary to popular belief, having a criminal history doesn’t automatically prevent you from adopting a child. However, the adoption agency will take your background into consideration. If you were convicted of a crime that involved children, you probably won’t be allowed to adopt a child. A family law attorney could give you more information and tell you if you qualify or not.
Are you ready for the adoption process?
You probably know that adoption isn’t something that anyone should take lightly. The adoption process can be long, expensive and challenging. However, if you’re up to the task, you might want to hire an attorney who could help you navigate the adoption process.
Before you start, you could ask your attorney if you meet the qualifications for adopting a child. If you don’t, they could help you work toward meeting the qualifications. You might have to talk to a social worker if you’re still dealing with emotional issues or not quite ready to adopt a child.