Grandparent Adoption In Illinois

By Nottage and Ward on July 11, 2016

As a grandparent, you play a big role in your grandchild’s life. You love them, support them, and even protect them. You are there when their parents cannot be, and in the event of a tragedy, you are there to also serve as a parent. You certainly aren’t alone. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services reports that approximately 100,000 other grandparents in the state are raising their grandchildren.

Depending on the circumstances, you might decide that is best if you are more than just your grandchild’s guardian – you would like to adopt them. Any adoption is a complicated and drawn out process, but you don’t have to go it alone. Instead, utilize the compassionate and experienced family attorneys at Nottage and Ward, LLP to help you with the adoption process for your grandchild.An attorney makes the process easier for you. They will handle the difficult part of the adoption: the negotiations, requirements, and any legal issues that may arise. It is essential to have an attorney if you are trying to adopt your grandchild because their parent is unfit. You will need to make sure that adoption is right for you because it’s a permanent decision. It’s also only granted to grandparents in specific instances:

• A grandparent is able to adopt their grandchildren if one parent is deceased and the other is unfit. In the event of the death of a parent, allowing the grandparent to adopt is a natural choice.
• If the parents have problems with substance abuse or are incarcerated, the grandparent can adopt. While the parents are still alive, it is clear that they are unfit parents.
• Sometimes, the parents can be unfit for other reasons, like child abuse or neglect. In this instance, grandparents are again a natural choice for adoption in the interest of keeping the children safe.

Like other adoptions, there are requirements that must be met. The birth parents are required to give their consent for the adoption, unless they are deceased, or if their rights as parents have been terminated. A licensed social worker will have to conduct a home study to ensure the children are going to a safe and loving home that can provide for them. Because of the complicated nature of adoptions, especially for grandparents, it is important to have an experienced family attorney working with you. Contact the Chicago grandparent adoption attorneys at Nottage and Ward, LLP to discuss your options. We can be reached at (312) 332-2915.