FOSTER CARE ADOPTION

More than 85% of children that become eligible for adoption are adopted by their foster parents.  Many children who are in Georgia’s foster care system become eligible for adoption through the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS).  The child remains in the custody of DFCS while they remain in the foster care system.  Once the child’s parental rights have been terminated, and it is determined that the child is eligible for adoption, DFCS must give written consent to any proposed adoption, since they are the child’s legal custodian.

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Adoption Assistance

There is adoption assistance available to help place children with “special needs” into permanent homes.  In Georgia, children that are in need of adoption assistance, must identify as having “special needs” by meeting one of the following criteria at the time of adoptive placement:

  • A child who has been in the care of a public or private agency or individual other than the legal or biological parent for more than 24 consecutive months;

  • A child with physical, mental, or emotional disability, as validated by a licensed physician or psychologist; or

  • A child who is a member of a sibling group of 2 or more placed in the same home for adoption.

Adoption Assistance must be applied for and approved, with an Adoption Assistance agreement signed prior to the finalization of the adoption. A child in the custody of DFCS at the time of his/her adoption must meet special needs criteria to qualify for the Adoption Assistance Benefits.

 

Finalization of Adoption

Christina Campbell is an experienced adoption attorney and will work with DFCS and the foster parents to ensure there are no steps left out of the adoption process.  Once an adoption petition for a foster care adoption is filed, generally, at the Superior Court of the County where the adoptive parents reside, it can take as little as one month before the adoption is finalized.

Contact Christina Campbell for a foster care adoption consultation by calling The Campbell Law Practice, LLC in Atlanta at 404-981-5257.

Or leave Christina a message here:

Phone: 404.981.5257 Fax: 404.410.6923

Visit Us: 3915 Cascade Road, Suite T138 Atlanta, GA 30331

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