Practice Areas

Personal Injury

Family Law

Auto/Car Accidents

Estate Planning/Probate

Real Estate

Putnam Law Office
801 Commerce Dr.
Decorah, Iowa 52101
Tel: (888) 277-2024
Fax: (563) 382-8810
E-mail: info@putlaw.com Blog:http://blog.putlaw.com

Decorah, Iowa Attorney practicing in Iowa primarily in Personal Injury, Family Law, Auto/Car Accidents, Estate Planning/Probate, and Real Estate. Attorneys at Putnam Law Office are dedicated to serving their clients in Iowa, including the cities of Decorah, West Union, Waukon, Cresco, Elkader, New Hampton, Dubuque, Waterloo, Mason City, Waverly, Independence, Charles City, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Osage, Davenport, Garner, Eldora, & Clinton, and the communities that make up Winneshiek, Fayette, Allamakee, Howard, Clayton, Chickasaw, Dubuque, Black Hawk, Cerro Gordo, Bremer, Buchanan, Floyd, Johnson, Linn, Mitchell, Scott, Hancock, Hardin, and Clinton counties.

Contact an Iowa Family Law lawyer representing clients in Davenport, Iowa today to schedule your free initial consultation.

Single Parent Adoption

As one-parent households become more common, single parent adoption increases. The issue of personal finances and single income families has become less important since adoption subsidies are available nationwide.

Summary of Adoption Procedures

The formal steps involved in adoption are generally the same in all states. Notice of adoption is given to all parties who have a legal interest in the case, except for the child. The parents seeking to adopt must file a petition in court that contains specific information such as the adoptive parents names as well as the child’s, the child’s gender and age, and the names of the natural parents, if known. Written consent of the agency or the natural parents must be attached with the petition.

A hearing is then held so the court may review the qualifications of the potential parents and either grant or deny the petition. Most states require a period of probation during which time the child resides with the adoptive parents and a state agency monitors the development of such relationship. If the relationship is working well for all parties concerned, the agency will recommend to the court that a permanent decree of adoption be issued. However, if the agency feels the relationship in unsatisfactory, the child is either returned to his or her previous home or is taken care of by the state.

Following the adoption proceedings, a certificate of adoption is issued for the adopted child which replaces the original birth certificate. The certificate of adoption lists the new family name, the date and place of the child’s birth along with ages of the adoptive parents at the time the child was born. The old birth certificate is sealed away and may only be opened with a court order. If you are considering adoption, please seek the advice of one of our experienced family law attorneys.

Back to Top

DISCLAIMER: The information you obtain at our firm web site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. It is recommended that you consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.

Copyight ©MMVII Jakobie

If you would like to schedule a free initial consultation, contact an Iowa Family Law attorney, representing clients in Davenport, Iowa at the Putnam Law Office. Give us a call at (888) 277-2024 or email us at info@putlaw.com.