What is an Independent Adoption?
Independent adoption is the adoption of a child placed directly for the purposes of adoption with the adoptive family by their parent or guardian. The adoptive parents are not relatives to the child as defined by NC law. An agency may be involved but does not have...
Adopting Your Stepchild
What is a Stepparent Adoption? Stepparent adoption is the adoption of a child by the spouse of their biological parent. Many families desire to make the relationship of stepparent and child a permanent one through adoption. In this case, the stepparent becomes the...
Adopting a Child Who Is Your Relative
Relative adoption is the adoption of a child by their relative as defined by North Carolina law. Relatives are defined as a grandparent, full or half sibling, first cousin, aunt, uncle, great-aunt, great-uncle, or great-grandparent of the minor. When Is Adoption the...
The Legal Process of Adopting Through North Carolina’s Child Welfare System
Congratulations, you are ready to start the process of adopting a child placed in your home through NC’s child welfare system. Below is information about what to expect during that process and how Stephenson & Fleming may be best suited to assist your family...
Getting Started: How to Adopt or Foster Through NC’s Child Welfare System
At Stephenson & Fleming, LLP, two of the primary populations we serve are foster and adoptive parents adopting children through NC’s child welfare (foster care) system. These are agency adoptions that involve County Departments of Social Services having custody of...Page 1 of 2