ADOPTION FLORIDA

The decision to adopt can be overwhelming without the right advocate by your side. At Family Diplomacy we take the time to answer your questions about the adoption process and determine the best course of action for you and your family. We can help whether you are beginning the adoption process from scratch or seeking to adopt a stepchild, close relative, or adult.

STEPCHILD/STEPPARENT, CLOSE RELATIVE, AND ADULT ADOPTION

If you are seeking to adopt a stepchild, close relative, or adult, Florida law has established an accelerated process to help families like yours. At Family Diplomacy we will walk you through the steps that you can take to ensure that your stepchild, close relative, or adult adoption progresses in a smooth and expedited manner.

SAME-SEX ADOPTIONS AND ADOPTION OPTIONS FOR THE LGBT COMMUNITY

Florida now has adoption options for the LGBT community. You may have questions regarding same-sex adoptions or the possibility to become a second parent to your partner’s children. Family Diplomacy will provide you with an overview of your family rights and tailor a plan for your specific situation.

COLLABORATIVE ADOPTION

If you are considering an open adoption, where a biological parent will continue to have contact with the child even after the adoption is finalize, then Family Diplomacy strongly recommends you consider the Collaborative Adoption Process. In the Collaborative Process, each party is represented by an attorney who is there solely to help the parties reach an agreement on finalizing the adoption and developing a post-adoption visitation plan. A neutral social worker or other professional is retained to help foster a relationship and facilitate communication between all parties.

Saint Petersburg Adult Adoption Lawyer Review: “Thorough, Professional, And A Pleasure to Work With!”

/in , //Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , by

We care about our clients, and we find it especially heartwarming when a client takes the time to let others know about our services.

A recent adult adoption client left a review of our work on our St. Petersburg Family Law Firm Google Page.

St. Petersburg Adult Adoption Lawyer Review

Adam and Jennifer were fantastic. I adopted a longtime friend to be a part of my family and with their help the whole process was very simple. Adam and Jennifer took care of everything right up to and now after the Final Judgement hearing. I would highly recommend Family Diplomacy as they are very through, professional and a pleasure to work with!

Now, we cannot guarantee the same or similar results for you or your family as every case is different.  However, if you would like to learn more about adult adoption, stepparent adoption, grandparent adoption, close relative adoption, second parent adoption, and/or LGBTQ+ adoption, we welcome you to reach out to us and find out more.  We represent clients throughout the State of Florida, and we also have offices in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota.

Click Here to Speak with an Adoption Lawyer

LGBTQ+ Friendly Family Law Firm in Florida

/in , , , , , //Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , by

If you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community in Florida, you might have found yourself wondering about the best path forward when it comes to family law matters. We get it—navigating the legal landscape can be confusing and overwhelming, and now is not the time for a lawyer to judge you or your family. But fear not! At Family Diplomacy, we’ve got your back. Our mission is to provide you with an open, friendly, and supportive environment as we work together to tailor LGBTQ+ Family Law solutions that perfectly suit your unique needs.  And we help families throughout the State of Florida.

Crafting Harmony through Collaborative Family Law

Picture this: you’ve got personal family matters to resolve, but you’re dreading the thought of entering a public adversarial court system. Guess what? You don’t have to go that route. Family Diplomacy recommends a much more peaceful alternative for Florida and Tampa Bay LGBTQ+ spouses and partners: Collaborative Family Law.

Here’s the scoop: in this process, attorneys are on board solely to help you reach private resolutions. We’re actually barred from fighting before a judge. Plus, there’s a facilitator—usually a trained mental health professional—who’s there to keep everyone focused on what’s best for the family, including any children involved. This person ensures that communication remains respectful and productive. And since financial matters can be complex, especially for LGBTQ+ relationships, a financial professional might step in to guide you through the intricacies of assets and debts.

Meet the Collaborative Guru: Adam B. Cordover

Let us introduce you to an intellectual leader in collaborative practice—Adam B. Cordover. He’s not just any lawyer; he’s an internationally-recognized leader and trainer in collaborative practice. He’s even presented on the use of collaborative practice for LGBTQ+ family law matters to professional and civic groups around the U.S., Canada, France, and Israel, and across Florida including in Tampa, Sarasota, and Orlando, Jacksonville, Boca Raton, and beyond. Adam is also co-author of an American Bar Association book on collaborative family law, a member of the Board of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, and recipient of the inaugural Visionary Award from the Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals. You’re in good hands!

Read more →

Bradenton Adult Adoption Featured on Ellen DeGeneres Show

/in //Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , by

This week, a Bradenton adult adoption was featured on the Ellen DeGeneres Show.  Monyay, 19, appeared with her new adoptive mom, Leah Paskalides.  You can see a video clip below.

Teen who aged out of foster care, was adopted by Bradenton caseworker, gets big surprise on ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’

Read more →

Video: Adult Adoption

/in //Tags: , , , , , by

Below is a brief video from the Audiopedia that gives a general description of Adult Adoption.

 

You can find a transcript below:

Read more →

What is Gestational Surrogacy?

/in , , //Tags: , , by

If you are a married couple looking to bring a child into your life but cannot conceive yourselves, you may be a candidate for gestational surrogacy.

Gestational surrogacy is a legally recognized process and alternative to traditional child birth. A couple contracts with a woman (also known as a “surrogate”) who will give birth to a child. The couple will use their own sperm and/or egg, with or without donated genetic materials, to create a fertilized egg. The fertilized egg will then be transferred to the surrogate. There is no biological connection between the surrogate and the fertilized egg. This means that the surrogate has no legal rights to the child that is born. The couple quickly become the legal parents to the newborn child.

Read more →

Nonprofit in Florida Offers Grants for Adoption Costs

/0 Comments/in //Tags: , , , , , , , , , , by

The Tampa Bay Times recently ran a story about the Gift of Adoption Fund.  Gift of Adoption Fund is a 501(c)(3) organization with a chapter in Florida that helps prospective adoptive parents in need defray some of the costs of adoption.

Adoption Grants | Gift of Adoption Fund

You can find portions of the Tampa Bay Times story below.

Read more →

Adoption Client Review: Very Professional and Precise

/0 Comments/in , , //Tags: by

An adoption client recently reviewed Family Diplomacy: A Collaborative Law Firm on Avvo.com.

Lawyer Adam Cordover | Top Attorney Adoption

FLORIDA BAR DISCLAIMER: Please note that every case is different, and you may not receive the same or similar results.  You can find the review after the jump.

Read more →

Can 2 Men or 2 Women Appear on a Florida Birth Certificate?

/0 Comments/in , , , //Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , by

Florida has not had the best history when it comes to the rights of same-sex couples.  For the longest time, the state had a law on the books that gay men and women were forbidden from adopting a child.  Florida not only enacted a so-called Defense of Marriage Act statute but enshrined its opposition to same-sex marriage in the state’s constitution.  Further, even once Florida courts ruled that the state must recognize marriage between people of the same sex, it was unclear whether the state would permit same-sex divorce.

Fortunately, the state has come a long way.  The “gay adoption ban” is no longer on the books.  The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that a ban on the issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples is unconstitutional, as is a refusal of one state to recognize a same-sex marriage solemnized in another state.  And it has become clear that circuit courts in Tampa Bay and around the state must give same-sex spouses the opportunity to dissolve their marriage.

So, at this point, can two parents of the same sex appear on a Florida birth certificate?

Read more →

Adoption Client Review: Outstanding Lawyer

/0 Comments/in , , //Tags: , , , by

An adoption client recently left a review of Family Diplomacy: A Collaborative Law Firm on Avvo.com.

Lawyer Adam Cordover | Top Attorney Adoption

As required by the Florida Bar, we note that each case is different, and you may not receive the same or similar results.

The review is reproduced below:

Read more →

Client Review: Stepparent Adoption & Name Change

/0 Comments/in , , , //Tags: , , , , , by

Whether we are handling a divorce, paternity, name change, or adoption matter, we treat our clients with care and respect to help them meet their goals.

I was recently reviewed on Avvo.com by a client in a stepparent adoption matter who discussed her experience.

Lawyer Adam Cordover | Lawyer Adoption

 

As I am required to note by the Florida Bar, please understand that every case is different, and you may not receive the same or similar results.  You can find the review after the jump:

Read more →