The Irving Law Firm can help you through your adoption process with competence and compassion. From our offices in Manassas, Virginia, The Irving Law Firm can represent clients throughout Virginia
Robert H. Kima, Senior Counsel at the Irving Law Firm, has been a fellow of the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys since 1993, an organization of approximately 300 of the most qualified adoption attorneys in the United States, who practice adoption law exclusively or have otherwise distinguished themselves in the field of adoption. State legislatures often look to the Academy and its fellows for advice when drafting new adoption related legislation. Mr. Klima has personally handled many hundreds of adoption cases of all types successfully. He has been honored several times as one of Virginia’s Top Lawyers, in recognition of his legal knowledge, professionalism and integrity.
It is often appropriate for the new spouse of a parent to seek to adopt his or her step child. This may be when the other parent has ceased to play an important role in the child’s life and the step parent has become the real parent in the eyes of the child. It is important to make this relationship a legal one for various reasons.
Virginia law provides that a birth parent may place her child for adoption with any family which she chooses, subject to the oversight of the courts in order to ensure that the adoption is in the child’s best interests.
Sometimes a birth parent will entrust her child to a licensed adoption agency, which then places the child for adoption with a family chosen by the agency.
All too often, children who have been neglected or abused come into the care of the Department of Social Services. When this happens, DSS will place the child with a foster family which has been carefully qualified by them. If the birth parents cannot cure the problems which caused the child to be removed from their home, and parental rights have been terminated, DSS will give consent for the foster family to adopt the child.
A law called The Interstate Compact on Placement of Children provides in part that no child may be placed for adoption across state lines unless the Interstate Compact office of both states have given prior approval. If a birth mother wants to place her child with a family in another state, this becomes very important. Interstate Compact offices require a great deal of paperwork which must be obtained quickly and provided in accrdance with regulations, so that the child may come into the adoptive home as quickly as possible.
If the child is placed by the birth parents with family members, Virginia Law provides for an abbreviated process. However, the requirements will vary depending upon the circumstances.
Virginia Law allows the adoption of an adult under certain circumstances. This can be appropriate for a number of reasons.
The Law now requires specialized agencies in foreign countries to handle adoption matters in those countries. However, once a Final Order of Adoption is entered in the country of birth, Virginia Law allows for an adoption procedure which will allow the child to obtain a Certificate of Foreign Birth, which is very important for the child to have throughout life.
There are cases where an adoption is appropriate, but a birth parent who has not been involved in the child’s life, or is otherwise unqualified to parent, objects to the proceeding. In these cases a trial is required. These are complex and relatively expensive proceedings, but may be very much in the best interests of the child.
Attorneys at The Irving Law Firm are available to disscuss all adoption related questions at no charge, by phone or in person. Many aspects of adoption law, particularly in step parent adoptions, can be handled through phone consultations and email, although clients are always welcome to schedule in office consultations.
The Irving Law Firm seeks to provide prompt attention to the production of pleadings and other legal documents and correspondence, as well as to filing cases and seeking Orders from the Court. They understand the importance of being readily accessible to their adoption clients. Personal and timely attention to client concerns is paramount to their approach to practicing law.
Recently named a “Top Lawyer” by Northern Virginia Magazine, The Irving Law Firm is truly at the forefront of adoption law. In conjunction with the state legislature, he has helped draft Virginia adoption statutes and has written and lectured on adoption. Since 1993, The Irving Law Firm has been a fellow of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, a national association of approximately 300 attorneys who practice adoption law extensively, or have otherwise distinguished themselves in the field of adoption. State legislatures often look to the Academy and its fellows for advice when passing new adoption related legislation.
The Irving Law Firm’s adoption practice is a natural extension of a larger commitment to the welfare and well being of children. The Irving Law Firm is the founder and Chairman of the Board for Children with Disabilities Fund International (CDFI), an organization committed to enhancing the quality of life of children with special needs living in orphanages in developing countries. CDFI’s current work is largely spent partnering with West Haven Children’s Home located in Jamaica, an orphanage with about 80 children and young adult residents. CDFI established the orphanage’s first school in 2012.
Just call to arrange either a telephone or an office consultation. We are happy to help you to complete this critical step in the life of your child and in your family.
The Irving Law Firm
9253 Mosby St., 2nd Floor
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 844-4118
