Adoptions

When he was ten-years-old, a judge called future attorney Heyward Wall to the stand to testify in the case that would result in the adoption of his younger sister.  Flash forward, and in nearly 20 years of practice, Heyward has helped countless families navigate the complicated process of adoption.  When making the life-changing decision to add a child to your family, don’t leave anything to chance – hire an experienced attorney who handles these cases on a daily basis and knows how to prepare the mountain of paperwork required by the courts.

Private Adoptions

If you have identified a child that you wish to add to your family, there are actions that need to be taken both before the adoption process starts and after.  We can walk you through this process step by step and take the burden of legal regulations away from you while you prepare to welcome a child into your home.  There are some steps that can be taken before the child is even born, but there are others that must wait.  Partnering with an attorney who knows the difference can save you a lot of time and worry.

Step-Parent Adoptions

One the greatest acts of love is to accept your spouse’s child from a previous relationship as your own son or daughter.  After all, the most important parts of parenting have nothing to do with biology.  Handling the other biological parent of your step-child is often the most difficult aspect of the step-parent adoption process.  Many times, no one has heard from that other parent for several years, yet he or she still has legal rights to the child that must be considered.  Let us worry about tracking down the other parent and dealing with his or her rights, while you concentrate on doing the tough job of parenting.

Adoption Agencies

We work and have worked with several adoption agencies over the years to process adoptions and find uninvolved parents.  There are specific statutes in North Carolina that apply only to adoption agencies, and failure to adhere to these laws could mean the difference between a successful adoption and a nightmare for all involved.  Trust your clients to attorneys who have been involved in dozens of adoption cases for adoption agencies in many North Carolina counties, from the Clerk of Court’s office to District Court Judges to the North Carolina Court of Appeals.  We’ll do whatever it takes to make sure the best interests of the child and the adoptive family are kept in focus.  If you have a question about adoptions, give us a call at (919) 661-3366 or send attorney, Heyward Wall, an e-mail at heyward@heywardwall.com.  The calls, e-mails, and even in-person consultations are free, so there’s no risk in sitting down with us to discuss your situation.