Adoption and Surrogacy

What is adoption?

Adoption is the assumption of full legal and parental responsibility for a child; it is supported by an adoption order, granted by a court. An adoption order severs all legal ties with the birth family and transfers parental rights to you as the new adoptive family.

A child becomes a full member of your adoptive family, can take your surname and assumes the same rights and privileges as if they had been born to your family, including the right of inheritance. Many children maintain contact with some members of their birth family. This may be indirect contact, such as sending letters or photographs, visits to a brother or sister who live elsewhere or some direct contact with other members of the birth family. In every decision made about whether contact should continue, the child’s safety and wellbeing are of paramount importance. Contact and your views about it will be a part of the discussion during the preparation, assessment and matching process.

Our family solicitors are experienced in this process and can guide you every step ofthe way, ensuring you are aware of your adoption legal rights.

Why choose John Barkers to help with Adoption or Surrogacy

Our team of family lawyers have significant experience in this field. We regularly work with prospective adopters and advise re step-parent adoptions. In the last few years, we have also represented clients who have successfully appealed an adoption order and for others who have set aside orders placing children for adoption and got them home again. We appreciate that cases of this nature can be very demanding emotionally for all involved and therefore seek to follow a thoughtful and sensitive approach, to assist clients to review their options carefully. We promise honest advice and robust action where it is called for.