Understanding the adoption process in Louisiana

Welcoming a child into your family through adoption will likely be one of the best experiences of your life. However, in order to make sure that the process goes as smoothly as possible, it’s important to understand the laws and procedures that apply.

Here are some of the main facts that you need to know about the adoption process in Louisiana:

• You must be at least 21 years old, have sufficient income to meet the basic needs of a child, and be in good physical, emotional and mental health in order to apply to become an adoptive parent.
• You can be married, single, divorced or widowed to apply to be an adoptive parent.

The first step in the adoption process will be to attend an orientation program, where you will learn all about the adoption process.

Next, you will need to get certified as an adoptive parent. This involves:

1. Submitting an application and fingerprints.
2. Attending pre-service training.
3. Participating in a home study.

After you have been certified, the agency will help you find a child to potentially adopt. This step can take a short while or a long while, depending upon the characteristics of the child that you are looking for.

Once the agency has found a child that might be a good fit for you, the child be placed in your home.

If the placement works out well, you can continue with the legal process of adopting the child with the help of your lawyer.

A family law attorney in your area who has experience handling adoptions can be a vital asset as your family embarks on this important journey. Your lawyer can make sure that all of the legal and procedural bases are covered while you focus on finding and preparing for your child.

Additional information about the adoption process in Louisiana can be found on our website as well as the Department of Children & Family Services’ website.