Le Knapp: Utah Adoption Court

This article is provided to you by Michael R. Anderson, Esq., Utah Adoption Lawyer.

Adoption can be a tricky process. There are a number of things to consider including eligibility to adopt, whether or not to use an adoption agency, and whether or not the adoption courts need to be involved in the process. Below you will find key information about frequently asked questions regarding the adoption court and where to go to get legal help. We’ve previously explained the Adoption Process in Utah here. We hope that we can answer some of your questions about adoption in this post.

Does my adoption have to be handled by an adoption court?

Yes. Regardless of whether you are working through an adoption agency or on your own, your adoption must be approved by an adoption court. This process involves filing a petition with the adoption court and then going through an adoption hearing. All of the people who have an interest in the adoption must receive notice of the hearing, prior to the hearing. These people typically include the biological parents, the adoption agency (if used), and the child, if he or she is of a certain age (12 or 14 in most states). Often times the adoption court will appoint a legal representative for the child. This representative is a disinterested third party whose job it is to look out for the child’s best interest. If the court does appoint a legal representative for the child, that representative must be given notice of the adoption hearing.

Typically, courts regarding custody of a child follow the best interest of the child standard (this is also used in divorce cases). This means that during an adoption proceeding, the prospective parents must show the adoption court judge that it is in the child’s best interest to be adopted by them. If the adoption court judge does determine that the adoption is in the child’s best interest, he or she will issue an order, called a final decree of adoption, approving the adoption. The final decree of adoption makes the new parent-child relationship legal and changes the child’s name, per the parents request.

What should my adoption petition have in it?

Your petition should include, at least:

the adoptive parents names, ages, and address;
the relationship between the adoptive parents and the child;
the legal purpose behind the termination of the child’s rights;
that the adoptive parents are the right people to adopt the child; and
that the adoption is in the child’s best interest.

Along with the adoption petition, you should also file the written consents of the birth parents (or the court order of the termination of their parental rights) with the adoption court. When you file your petition, you should also file your request for the child’s name change, if a name change is desired.

Does an attorney have to handle my adoption?

It is always recommended to have an adoption attorney, even if you are working with an adoption agency. If your adoption agency does not provide you with a lawyer, it is a good idea to hire one to write your adoption petition and to represent you in adoption court. Legally, you could write your petition on your own and represent yourself in adoption court. However, drafting petitions and going through court hearings can be complicated; thus, it is in your best interest to let an experienced lawyer handle it, using his or her legal expertise.

What are the legal requirements for international adoption?

To qualify to adopt a child internationally, you must meet both the requirements of the United States, as well as, the requirements of the child’s native country. You, or your lawyer or agent, may end up going to adoption court both in that country and in the United States.