Chicago Same Sex Adoption Lawyer

Same Sex Couples & Adoption

At Nottage and Ward, LLP, we know that choosing to adopt is both a thrilling and ambitious event in any couple's life. Extending the love you have for one another to include a new family member is truly a momentous occasion. It can also be a complex one, as no two adoptions are the same, and each one presents its own unique set of challenges. If you and your loved one are planning to expand your family dynamic, please give us a call at (312) 332-2915. No matter where you are in the process, or what type of adoption you are pursuing, our wealth of experience and dedication to individualized council can help make a difference in your application. To find out if our practice fits your adoption needs, you are welcome to send us any inquiries or set up an appointment.

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For over two decades, the understanding family law team at Nottage and Ward, LLP has provided guidance and legal representation to same-sex couples looking to adopt, throughout the state of Illinois.

Adoption Options in Illinois

During the mid 90s, under the landmark Petition of K.M, same-sex couples were provided much greater latitude when it came to adoption in Illinois. The resultant Illinois Adoption Act, or 750 ILCS 50 in the General Assembly, sought to clarify language concerning “marriage” that had previously been used to undermine such applications. Then with the passage of Senate Bill 10 and the ushering in of marriage equality across our great state, the question of adoptive rights in regards to same-sex couples was laid to rest. Finally, same-sex couples were afforded the full range of adoption options as everyone else, statewide. Some of the more frequent paths to fulfilling this dream include, but are not limited to:

Joint Adoption

When a married couple or legally recognized domestic partnership chooses to adopt a child together through an agency, or birth parents, it is considered a joint adoption. Many couples pursue this traditional avenue of adoption on an international scale as well, seeking to adopt a child outside the borders of the United States.

Co-Parent or Second Parent Adoption

In this case, one person in a committed relationship is already a biological or adoptive parent and the other individual in said relationship chooses to adopt their children. Similar in nature to step-children, the adoptive parent retains the same legal rights and responsibilities to the child or children as their partner. No matter how parental rights were originally established in the first parent, whether from a previous marriage, artificial insemination or prior adoption, it is in a couple's best legal interests to establish guardianship in the second parent as soon as possible.

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Building For Your Future

The legal landscape for same-sex couples in Illinois has vastly improved from what it was even a decade ago. The loopholes that previously tripped up even the most air-tight adoption applications are no longer. But the process remains an intricate one that can vary from case to case, especially when crossing interstate lines. Retaining a proper family litigator to stand by your side and represent your interests in court is one way to secure against any unforeseen events or requests. The Chicago family law attorneys at Nottage and Ward, LLP have established a strong reputation as fearsome defenders of family law and will work relentlessly to secure your family's future. Contact us at (312) 332-2915 for more information on adoption in the state of Illinois or submit your questions online and one of our team members will respond shortly.

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