Jacksonville Adoption Attorneys

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One of the most gratifying aspects of maintaining a law practice is helping to grow and establish families through adoption. Elizabeth R. Ondriezek, P.A. helps adopting families through the entire process of adoption in Jacksonville and surrounding communities in Duval, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns counties. Our adoption practice includes representing parties in private adoptions, stepparent adoptions and Department of Children and Families (DCF) adoptions. Contact our Jacksonville adoption attorneys today.

Private Adoptions

The private adoption process can be a wonderful way to bring together loving families wishing to raise a family with a child in need. However, there are many legal ramifications of the decision to adopt, and the legal procedure can be complicated. Parties in a private adoption invest significant time, money and emotional energy into the process. Ms. Ondriezek and her team make sure that the process is fully explained and that all required documents are prepared carefully and accurately to ensure a smooth process and effective outcome. They are available to meet with potential birth mothers (coming to them as needed) and connect them with qualified families through a confidential process. Florida law allows birth moms to receive financial assistance during the pregnancy, paid by the adopting parent(s), once a match is made.

Ms. Ondriezek was adopted as a baby herself and appreciates that experience as she facilitates matches between birth parents and adopting parents.

Stepparent Adoptions

When a couple marries and one of the spouses has children from a previous relationship, it is not uncommon for the other spouse to desire to adopt the spouse’s children. There are many practical advantages to the child in being adopted by the stepparent, including the right to financial support, access to health insurance through the stepparent’s employment, and legal inheritance rights. Of equal or greater importance, however, is the strengthening of the bond for the entire family when a formal adoption is completed.

Either a stepmother or stepfather may petition to adopt his or her spouse’s children. No home study is required, and these matters may usually be resolved quickly. As a mother herself, Ms. Ondriezek enjoys helping to create families using her talents as a lawyer.

Department of Children and Families (DCF) Adoptions

If the parents have died or if the Department of Children and Families (DCF) has removed the children due to allegations of abuse, neglect or abandonment, the fate of the children may seem bleak, but there can be a happy ending. Ms. Ondriezek has finalized hundreds of DCF adoptions, placing children permanently in caring homes with loving relatives, family friends, couples, and singles desiring to provide a good home for children in need. She also has experience as an Assistant State Attorney and in private practice with juvenile law matters, including DCF dependency hearings, and is familiar with the inner workings of DCF and how to finalize a DCF adoption. Ms. Ondriezek also speaks locally at continuing education seminars on these topics, thereby advising other attorneys on how best to navigate the complex DCF/dependency system.

Experienced Jacksonville Adoption Attorneys

For advice and assistance in a private adoption, stepparent adoption or DCF adoption in and around Jacksonville and throughout Duval, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns counties, please contact Elizabeth R. Ondriezek, P.A.