(MENAFNEditorial)
Jacksonville FL (PRBuzz) January 28 2016 - is pleased to have finalized one of Florida's first same sex adoptions for two sweet clients and their precious baby girl. The loving couple who now have a beautiful happy marriage wanted an opportunity to grow their family. The clients came to Lauren Kingry with this goal and after exploring many options decided on an adoption plan after visiting the .
Prior to 2010 Gay adoption was not legal in Florida. In 2010 the Florida Court of Appeals ruled that the law banning gay people from adopting was unconstitutional. In a landmark opinion in 2015 the divided Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples can marry nationwide establishing a new civil right and handing gay rights advocates a historic victory. This decision paved an easier way for same sex couples to .
Prior to this decision same sex couples had to adopt through what was known as Second Parent Adoption. In this instance an individual would adopt a baby thereafter their spouse would adopt through second parent adoption. This to most seemed discriminatory since if this were a heterosexual couple they could adopt through a private newborn adoption or if the child was the biological child of on party adoption could take place via step-parent adoption.
There are several different ways same sex couples can adopt in Florida.
First if the couple is married and are looking to adopt a baby they can accomplish this through the . The newborn adoption process can be completed though the private sector which is what the Lauren Kingry Law firm does or this process can be completed through DCF (Department of Children and Families). Adoptions through DCF are a lot more paper work and hassle whereas an adoption through an adoption entity or firm is much more streamline with all the paperwork handled by an attorney.
The costs associated with private adoption are significantly higher than DCF for several reasons.
First is birth mother expenses.
In a the prospective adoptive parents will be responsible for helping the birth mother with reasonable living expenses. Each birth mom is different with a range of needs. Lauren Kingry has handled adoptions where the birth mother has not had a need for any expenses ranging to the adoptive parents paying for housing food medical expenses and transportation.
Another reason in the cost difference is that in DCF adoptions the adoptive parent does all the leg work. Typically the wait time is much higher with DCF and there are other downfalls such as having to attend hearings classes etc.
In private adoptions you get to know your birth mother which is statistically proven to be very important.
Another way that same sex couples can adopt in Florida is through step-parent adoption. Step-Parent adoption allows a same-sex partner to adopt his or her spouse's biological or adopted child. Step-parent adoptions often involve a lesbian couple who have decided to have a child together and one woman is the biological parent. Male couples can also do this kind of adoption in which one partner has already legally adopted a child as a single parent or has become a parent through an arrangement with a surrogate. Regardless of how the first parent's parental rights were originally established whether from a previous marriage artificial insemination or prior adoption it is in a same-sex couple's best legal interests to establish the step-parent's parental rights as soon as possible.
Regardless of the method of adoption one thing is clear: the movement for equality is winning. Equality in Florida has been a dream for so many same sex couples. Now thousands of babies and children will get the feeling of security and permanency in a forever home. Myself and every member of my team support same sex adoption. If you and your partner would like to adopt a newborn baby or are interested in making your partner the legal parent for a child from another relationship please contact us. We are dedicated to building families!
About Lauren Kingry Law in Jacksonville Florida
Lauren Kingry Law PA is a Family Law and Adoption Firm located downtown Jacksonville Florida. The attorneys are trained and prepared for trial litigation negotiation strategies mediation settlements and adoptions.
Media Contact
Company Name: Lauren Kingry Law PA
Name: Kristin Fields
Email Address: kristin@jaxfamilyattorney.com
Website: http://wwwjaxfamilyattorney.com
Phone: 1.904.722.3333
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