ADOPTION LAWYERS SYDNEY

Adoption is the legal process of transferring parental rights and responsibilities for a child from one individual or couple to another. In New South Wales, adoption orders are granted by the Supreme Court. Once the order is made, all guardianship, custody, and decision-making rights are permanently transferred to the adoptive parents.

Parental responsibility refers to the rights and duties parents have concerning their child. This includes decisions about schooling, religion, medical treatment, and genseral care.

Adoption applications in New South Wales are often made by foster parents, carers, step-parents, or grandparents already caring for the child. Those seeking to adopt a child not in their care should contact their state or territory authority to start the process.

Adoption services in New South Wales are managed by:

• The Department of Family and Community Services (FACS)
• Anglicare Adoption Services
• Australian Families for Children (AFC)
• Barnardos Australia Adoptions
• Catholic Care Adoption Services

The decision to adopt is deeply personal and varies from one family to another. Common reasons include infertility, formalising a step-parent relationship, same-sex couples wishing to expand their family, or foster carers seeking to provide a permanent home.

Under the Adoption Act 2000 (New South Wales), adoption orders can be sought by an individual or a couple, including same-sex couples.

The adoption process is often complex and may take several years to finalise. It involves multiple steps, and each agency may follow slightly different procedures to achieve the same goal. Prospective adoptive parents must complete application forms and submit them to the agency managing their adoption journey. Attendance at seminars is usually required to help assess eligibility as an adoptive parent. After completing these programs, applicants undergo a detailed assessment to determine their suitability for adoption.

Yes, adoption involves a rigorous process with strict criteria that must be met for approval. Agencies require a thorough assessment to ensure that the prospective parents are suitable for adoption.

International adoption, or inter-country adoption, allows you to adopt a child from outside of Australia. This process is governed by the Hague Adoption Convention, an international agreement that promotes cooperation between countries to protect the rights of children in adoption. Australia is a signatory to this convention, which ensures ethical standards are met throughout the adoption process.