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Adoption Solicitors in London

Adoption solicitors providing legal aid and assistance for both domestic and overseas adoptions.

Professional and trusted family legal services in London.

info@berrislaw.co.uk

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Specialist adoption solicitors to guide you adoption

If you are considering adopting a child and live in the UK, you’ll need specialist adoption solicitors by your side to help you navigate what can be a complicated, stressful and at times protracted process.

Understandably, the adoption process can be lengthy and complex, where rigorous checksare carried out by local authorities to ensure that prospective adoptive parents are suitable to have a child placed in their care.

If you’re adopting for the first time, whether as an individual or a couple, having an insight into both the local authority process and legal ramifications is essential. A specialist adoption solicitor will help you to navigate the process, ensuring that you know the best way to proceed and to meet any of the challenges and potential obstacles that may cross your path.

Our experienced and professional family lawyers are on hand to support you and help you to understand how the law works in relation to adoption both here in the UK and overseas.

How can our adoption solicitors help your family?

If you are considering adoption through a local authority, understanding potential issues with professional legal advice can help you prepare for the road ahead. Adoption is a major decision and a significant family milestone, so the more information and the better informed you can be, the smoother the process will run.

The law surrounding the adoption of children from abroad, for example, is particularly complex, with many repercussions should the process not be carried out to the letter despite the best intentions of the adults involved.

Our solicitors can assist with both domestic and overseas adoptions with professional, trusted and reliable legal advice, delivered with full knowledge of case law and your interests at heart. We’re able to help in a range of areas, including:

Assisting with domestic adoptions where the child has been placed by the local authority

Helping the legal entry of a child into England from abroad for the purpose of adoption

Working through foreign adoption orders to ensure that they are able to be recognised in England

Advising potential adopters to discover if they are entitled to adopt a child in England

Offer routes and options for British nationals living abroad who wish to adopt in their country of residence.

How much do adoption solicitors cost?

Our experienced family lawyers and adoption solicitors understand that no two cases are the same and require different levels of legal help and support.

The best way of assessing the cost of legal adoption advice is to talk to the experienced team at Berris Law.

Call us on 020 3325 7415 today to discuss your individual circumstances.

Local authorities carry out rigorous checks to ensure prospective adoptive parents are suitable. If you or someone in your household has any past criminal convictions, it’s important to understand how this could affect the process. Our team can provide advice on criminal law issues here.

Require us out of hours please either telephone us on 020 3325 7415 or email us on info@berrislaw.co.uk or complete the online form.

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We know that no two cases are ever the same and we are dedicated to guiding you through the legal process with tailored solutions which work for you.

Fill out the form to request your consultation today, this will be an initial meeting to see how we can help and get to know each other, with no obligation.

The office is open from 9 am to 5.30 pm Mondays to Fridays excluding bank holidays. In the event your call is urgent and require us out of hours please either telephone us on 020 3325 7415 or email us on info@berrislaw.co.uk or complete the online form.

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frequently

Asked Questions

What is the process for adopting a child in the UK?

Adopting a child in the UK usually takes 6–12 months and involves several stages. First, you contact a local authority or voluntary adoption agency, attend an information session, and register your interest. Background checks, including DBS, medical exams, and references, follow.

Next, a social worker assesses your suitability through training and evaluation. If approved by an adoption panel, you are matched with a child, start introductions and temporary placement, and after at least 10 weeks, you can apply to the court for an adoption order, granting full parental responsibility.

Eligibility requirements:

At least 21 years old
Settled in the UK with a stable home
Individuals and couples, including LGBTQ+ and unmarried partners, can apply

Once an adoption order is granted, adoptive parents assume all legal rights and responsibilities. The child gains the adoptive parents’ surname and legal status. Biological parents lose all parental rights, though

Why do I need a specialist adoption solicitor?

Adoption can be a complex and lengthy process, involving rigorous checks and legal requirements. A specialist adoption solicitor guides you through both domestic and international adoption procedures, ensuring you understand the law and can navigate any challenges effectively.

What types of adoption can your solicitors assist with?

Our adoption solicitors handle domestic adoptions through local authorities, the legal entry of children from abroad for adoption, recognition of foreign adoption orders in England, and advice for British nationals seeking to adopt abroad.

How much does it cost to hire an adoption solicitor?

Costs vary depending on the complexity of your case. The best way to determine the level of support and fees is to speak directly with our experienced adoption solicitors, who will provide guidance tailored to your situation.

Can adoption affect the rights of birth parents or step parents?

Yes. Adoption legally transfers parental responsibility from the birth parents to the adoptive parents, severing previous legal ties. Step parents seeking to adopt may also need specialist advice to understand their rights and the formal process required.

What is a placement order and why is it important?

A placement order is a legal order that allows a child to be placed with prospective adoptive parents. It is a key step in domestic adoption, ensuring the child’s welfare is legally protected and that adoptive parents can establish full legal ties with the child.