by eespin | Feb 7, 2023 | Family Law
There are multiple ways to establish paternity that fit different situations. In most states, paternity is determined by: Paternity by assumption The husband is presumed to be the legal father if the mother is married. However, a married man may legally challenge...
by eespin | Feb 7, 2023 | Family Law
A paternity action is a legal process to establish who is legally the father, especially when parents aren’t married or if there is a conflict. This civil action can be started by the mother to gain child support from the alleged father or filed by the biological...
by eespin | Feb 7, 2023 | Family Law
A foster parent may seek custody of a child in their care, but it is important to understand that the goal of the foster care system is to reunify children with their birth families whenever possible. With a goal in mind to safely place a child back with their birth...
by eespin | Feb 7, 2023 | Family Law
Child protective services (CPS) and foster care records are generally confidential and are not made public. Such records can include child identification information, information regarding the child’s biological family, condition reports on the child’s original...
by eespin | Feb 7, 2023 | Family Law
Foster parents do receive a monthly stipend to cover the costs of child care, such as food, clothing, and other basic necessities. The payment structure for foster families varies depending on the payment rates established by their residing state, the age of the...
by eespin | Feb 6, 2023 | Family Law
Are adoption records public? Adoption records are often sealed or only allow restricted or partial access in most states. However, there are exceptions, with some states having open adoption records. Can adoption records be sealed? Yes. Many states and courts seal...
by eespin | Feb 6, 2023 | Family Law
The steps involved in adopting a child will vary from state to state, but here are the basic steps most states require. 1. Ensure you meet the basic requirements Prospective parents must: Meet basic requirements, such as age, state residency, and are financially...
by eespin | Feb 6, 2023 | Family Law
The length of time varies based on the type of adoption and any adoption preferences, such as the child’s age, which can impact how long you’re on a waitlist. For instance, some adoptive parents wait for two or more years before being matched with a healthy infant....
by eespin | Feb 6, 2023 | Family Law
The adoption process allows an adult to become the legal parent of a child who is not biologically their own. An adoptive parent accepts full custody and is legally responsible for the child’s support costs and obligations. As part of the process, the biological...
by eespin | Feb 6, 2023 | Family Law
If possible, prepare a plan in advance for situations when the military parent is deployed or transferred. Establishing a set contingency plan can help reduce stress on all parties involved. In many states, a custodial parent who is deployed for military duty may ask...
