It's National Adoption Month!
November is National Adoption Month! There are children and teens out there that are in need of good homes. According to the Adoption Network, 135,000 children are adopted in the U.S. each year and 428,000 are in foster care. Our family law attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to raise awareness about adoption in Missouri in honor of National Adoption Month. Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, and Welch are here to give statistics regarding adoption you should know, information regarding adoption law in Missouri, and information on how we can help you if you are looking to adopt a child or teen.
Source: Adoption Network
Among the 135,000 children who are adopted each year and the 428,000 in foster care:
If you are thinking of adopting a child, you need to understand how the law works in regard to adoption.
According to the Missouri Revised Statutes:
453.005. 1. The provisions of sections 453.005 to 453.400 shall be construed so as to promote the best interests and welfare of the child in recognition of the entitlement of the child to a permanent and stable home.
2. The children's division and all persons involved in the adoptive placement of children as provided in subdivisions (1), (2) and (4) of section 453.014 shall provide for the diligent recruitment of potential adoptive homes that reflect the ethnic and racial diversity of children in the state for whom adoptive homes are needed.
3. Placement of a child in an adoptive home may not be delayed or denied on the basis of race, color or national origin.
What does this mean?
Basically, race, color, or national origin cannot have an effect on determining whether a child gets adopted. When a child is being placed in a home, this process must reflect racial diversity. Adoption is determined for the best interest of the child.
Petition for permission to adopt, venue, jurisdiction--no denial or delay in placement of child based on residence or domicile--expedited placement, when:
453.010. 1. Any person desiring to adopt another person as his or her child shall petition the juvenile division of the circuit court of the county in which:
(1) The person seeking to adopt resides;
(2) The child sought to be adopted was born;
(3) The child is located at the time of the filing of the petition; or
(4) Either birth person resides.
2. A petition to adopt shall not be dismissed or denied on the grounds that the petitioner is not domiciled or does not reside in any of the venues set forth in subdivision (2), (3) or (4) of subsection 1 of this section.
What does this mean?
Anyone trying to adopt a child MUST petition the juvenile court in either the county in which the person adopting lives, the county where the child they want to adopt lives, the county in which the child being adopted lives at the time the petition is being filed, or the country in which either birth parent lives. If you are trying to adopt a child but you don’t abide by these rules, your case could be dismissed by the court.
Our experienced adoption attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks can help you throughout the entire adoption process. We can help you to understand how the law works when it comes to adoption, fill out your application, and help make sure you have all of the information you need in order to successfully adopt a child or teen. For a free consultation, call 573-346-7231.
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertising. When you need a knowledgeable attorney, we invite you to contact us to set up a consultation. Evening and weekend appointments are available. We have access to interpreters.
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Statistics Regarding Adoption You Should Know
Source: Adoption Network
Among the 135,000 children who are adopted each year and the 428,000 in foster care:
- Males outnumber females
- Over half are over 6 years old
- More than 60% of children who are in foster care spend 2-5 years and some never get adopted
- African America children are disproportionately represented
- In 2015, over 670,000 children spent time in U.S. foster care
- There are 1.5 million adopted children in the U.S.
- No more than 2% of Americans have adopted, 1/3 have thought about it
Adoption Law in Missouri
If you are thinking of adopting a child, you need to understand how the law works in regard to adoption.
According to the Missouri Revised Statutes:
Ethnic and Racial Diversity Considerations
453.005. 1. The provisions of sections 453.005 to 453.400 shall be construed so as to promote the best interests and welfare of the child in recognition of the entitlement of the child to a permanent and stable home.
2. The children's division and all persons involved in the adoptive placement of children as provided in subdivisions (1), (2) and (4) of section 453.014 shall provide for the diligent recruitment of potential adoptive homes that reflect the ethnic and racial diversity of children in the state for whom adoptive homes are needed.
3. Placement of a child in an adoptive home may not be delayed or denied on the basis of race, color or national origin.
What does this mean?
Basically, race, color, or national origin cannot have an effect on determining whether a child gets adopted. When a child is being placed in a home, this process must reflect racial diversity. Adoption is determined for the best interest of the child.
All Those Who Wish To Adopt Must Do This
Petition for permission to adopt, venue, jurisdiction--no denial or delay in placement of child based on residence or domicile--expedited placement, when:
453.010. 1. Any person desiring to adopt another person as his or her child shall petition the juvenile division of the circuit court of the county in which:
(1) The person seeking to adopt resides;
(2) The child sought to be adopted was born;
(3) The child is located at the time of the filing of the petition; or
(4) Either birth person resides.
2. A petition to adopt shall not be dismissed or denied on the grounds that the petitioner is not domiciled or does not reside in any of the venues set forth in subdivision (2), (3) or (4) of subsection 1 of this section.
What does this mean?
Anyone trying to adopt a child MUST petition the juvenile court in either the county in which the person adopting lives, the county where the child they want to adopt lives, the county in which the child being adopted lives at the time the petition is being filed, or the country in which either birth parent lives. If you are trying to adopt a child but you don’t abide by these rules, your case could be dismissed by the court.
Looking to Adopt a Child or Teen?
Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C.
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertising. When you need a knowledgeable attorney, we invite you to contact us to set up a consultation. Evening and weekend appointments are available. We have access to interpreters.
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Camdenton, MO 65020 GET A MAP
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