Joliet Adoption Attorney

In the often stressful world of family law, adoptions are a happy exception. The Law Office of Dawn R. Underhill is pleased to be part of the adoption process for families looking to open their hearts to a new family member. We assist with most kinds of adoptions, including infant adoption, international adoption, stepparent adoption, relative adoption, agency adoption and private adoption. We also assist with adult adoptions.

In the course of these different adoption processes, there are legal pitfalls to watch out for. That’s why it is always a good idea to work with an attorney experienced in the paperwork and process surrounding adoption. Our goal is to be by your side, anticipating and resolving problems in advance, to minimize delays and other problems.

If You Want To Adopt

To adopt a child in Illinois, you must meet these eligibility requirements:

• You must be 18 or older. (Exceptions are sometimes made for minor children).
• You must have lived in Illinois for at least six months. (90 days if you are serving in the armed forces, and no residency required for adopting a related child).
• You must have a clean criminal record. (This applies only to unrelated adoptions).

Your adopted child will have all the same rights and privileges in the adoptive family that a biological child does.

You do not have to be married. You can be single, divorced or widowed. You can be gay or straight. Our firm works with all couples, including same-sex couples, to do the paperwork and procedures required for the security, safety and happiness of your adopted child.

To learn more about the adoption process, and how we can expedite matters for you, contact Joliet adoption lawyer Dawn Underhill at 815-290-0392, toll free 877-LAW-DAWN (877-529-3296).