Adoption Attorney
Mary Ann Barnes
Experienced Charlottesville Adoption Attorney
One of the most satisfying moments in a court room is when the judge looks up and says, “Congratulations, you’re the new parents of this child.” Our goal is to help you achieve your dreams. Call us. We can help.
Mary Ann Barnes – Adoption Attorney
Contact us today for an Initial Consultation. It’s the first step toward your family dreams.
Three frequently asked questions about VA adoption cases:
1. Do I need an attorney for a family law proceeding?
Although it is possible to represent yourself in family court, it is not advisable in the vast majority of cases. Should you choose to represent yourself, the court cannot assist you with your case. You are held to the same requirements as the other party’s attorney. If you mishandle your case due to lack of knowledge or skill, an attorney may have difficulty reversing your mistakes.
2. What are the most common types of adoption?
- Domestic Adoption: adoptions that take place in the United States;
- International Adoption: adoptions by Americans of non-American children from another country. These adoptions can be the most complex, as adoptive parents will have to comply with the legal requirements of not just the child’s birth country, but also of the US government and their state of residence before the adoption can be completed;
- Stepparent Adoption: the most common type of adoption in which an adult married to the biological or adoptive parent of the child adopts the child to create a parent-child relationship;
- Open Adoption: an adoption in which the parties agree to some level of contact with birth parents after an adoption’s completed. In some states, like Virginia, it is not possible to make any agreement for such post adoption contact legally enforceable;
- Closed Adoption: traditional form of adoption in which the adoptive parents do not meet with the birth parent(s) and no identifying or other contact information is exchanged, although medical histories may be made enforceable; and
- Adult Adoption: the adoption of an adult 18 years or older. More common in a foster family relationship where the child may not have been available to adopt until after his or her 18th birthday. Adult adoptions are easier procedurally to complete than child adoptions, with shorter waiting periods and less state requirements (such as home studies.) The biological parents are not required to consent to the adoption.
3. What is your fee structure?
I handle cases on a flat fee or hourly basis. At the end of the consultation, we can determine the appropriate fee structure for your case, and you can evaluate our services and decide if you want to hire me.
Your Next Step:
Contact us today – We’re ready to help.
We have four offices conveniently located in Charlottesville, Palmyra (Across from Food Lion), Harrisonburg, and Staunton, Virginia.
