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Washington DCYF Adoption Attorney

The Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) provides critical services to our state and runs the foster care system in Washington.

Adopting a child in foster care is a complicated process. Thousands of parents adopt a foster child each year, and each person’s journey is different. However, anyone seeking to adopt through DCYF should work with an experienced adoption lawyer. Your attorney is an excellent resource and can help you think through your options. Once you choose to pursue a foster care adoption, your lawyer can help ensure your compliance with state regulations and handle the court paperwork.

adoption estate planning

Christina T. Sherman is a fellow of the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys, one of the highest honors in adoption law. She has helped many people realize their dream of becoming parents or expanding their families. Call our office. A Washington DCYF adoption attorney can meet to answer questions about the process and provide an overview of what to expect.

Is Foster Care Adoption Right for You?

Becoming a foster parent is incredibly rewarding, but the reality is that foster care adoption is not right for all people. Some prospective parents would be better off searching for a newborn as part of a private placement. It’s up to prospective adoptive parents to identify their objectives.

Typically, a foster child is somewhat older than a newborn—the average age is around 8. Many children come from emotionally turbulent homes and need stability. They could have physical or mental health difficulties and might struggle with learning disabilities.

You should go into foster care adoption with your eyes open. Many of our clients already have a child in the home with them and hope to adopt them. Others have served as a foster parent before and are eager to develop a lifelong bond with an adoptee. Each path is different, but all adults seeking to adopt should consult an attorney.

The Adoption Process for Foster Children

DCYF is committed to finding safe homes for children in foster care. One misconception about foster care adoption is that it’s easy and the state allows almost anyone to adopt. In truth, DCYF has many requirements you must meet if you hope to adopt.

First, you need to be fully licensed as a foster parent. You must meet eligibility requirements to start the process. The good news is Washington prohibits discrimination against LGBTQ+ people, single people, and renters.

Second, you need to choose whether to work with DCYF or with a child placement agency. You’ll need to undergo a detailed home study as part of the licensing requirement. We can help you locate and choose a placement agency, if you go that route.

Third, you will select a child (unless you are adopting a child already living with you). You should have thought carefully about what attributes you are seeking (including age, background, and other factors).

Fourth, you must establish a relationship with the child, usually through visitation. Visitation can slowly develop over the course of weeks and months, from a couple hours initially to overnights. Again, the process differs if you are hoping to adopt a child already living with you.

Fifth, all families will have to go through post-placement health and safety checks for six months before the adoption is finalized in court.

“There really aren’t words to truly express how happy and grateful I am.”
quote - Estate planning before and after adoption

How Will Christina T. Sherman Help Your Case?

Attorney Sherman has worked with many adults seeking to adopt a foster child. She understands the detailed steps involved from start to finalization. Our law firm is dedicated to ensuring that the child placement goes as smoothly as possible.

Our services include:

  • Help you decide if foster care adoption is right for you. We can also discuss private placements and how they differ from DCYF adoptions, if you are curious about your options.
  • Identify whether to work with DCYF or a child placement agency.
  • Review the home study requirements and how to prepare.
  • Answer any questions you have about adoption or foster parenting.
  • Help you identify a child to adopt. We can work with clients who are searching for a child or those who already have a child in their home.
  • Assist you with all licensing requirements to become foster parents.
  • Coordinate with DCYF, if necessary, to answer their questions or address any concerns they have.
  • Review the negotiated contract with DCYF regarding program benefits. We ensure you are treated fairly as foster parents.
  • Finalize the adoption process by filing the petition to adopt (along with other documents) and appear in court with you to appear before a judge.

Call our office. The above is just a sampling of the services we provide for any adult seeking to adopt a child.

Can You Adopt without a Lawyer?

We believe the adoption process is much smoother if you work with a lawyer who has ample adoption experience. We provide many benefits to our clients thinking about adoption:

  • Planning. The more detailed planning you engage in, the fewer hurdles you will likely confront. Planning includes checking to see whether you can become licensed as foster parents and successfully completing a home study.
  • Negotiation. We can negotiate the contract with DCYF to ensure you receive the program benefits you need.
  • Finalization of the adoption. The DCYF case worker will send your attorney forms to complete and submit to the court. We know how to ensure the documents are complete and accurate.

Adoption is a specialized area of law. Not all Washington attorneys are prepared to work with clients on private placement or DCYF adoptions.

Call Our DCYF Adoption Attorney in Washington

Christina T. Sherman opened her law firm to make the dream of adoption a reality for Washington families. If you are considering a DCYF adoption, please reach out to our office. Our firm has worked with DCYF on behalf of many clients. Foster care adoption carries unique challenges, but we can help you identify if this is the right choice for you. Call us at (253) 268-5068 to schedule an initial consultation with our adoption lawyer.

Christina Sherman

Your family is important to us. Contact us today.

We understand that the adoption process may seem overwhelming, and we are dedicated to getting answers to whatever questions you may have.

We serve clients throughout Tacoma, Pierce County, King County, Thurston County, Kitsap County, and the Western Washington area.

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