Contrary to popular belief, good times and pleasant experiences can be had inside the Tulsa County Courthouse.
Just ask Zach Mortazavi. The newly minted Fry & Elder attorney was recently at the Tulsa County Courthouse winning a grandparent adoption for his two clients.
“Literally the happiest place Friday afternoon in Tulsa was the courthouse,” Zach Mortazavi said following the successful adoption. “My clients were ecstatic. They were taking photos with the judge. It was great.”
Oklahoma grandparent adoptions are prevalent. In fact, it has been reported that Oklahoma is one of the top states in the nation where grandparents are raising their grandchildren.
There is no doubt that grandparents play an important role in raising children. If you are a grandparent who is considering adopting your grandchild, Fry & Elder is here to help you navigate the ins and outs of Oklahoma grandparent adoptions.
What are the Benefits of Adopting My Grandchild?
The benefits of a grandparent adoption in Oklahoma are numerous. A grandparent adoption can often provide a child with a stable, and loving environment. If the question of adoption has arisen, it is usually because the child’s environment is less stable, sometimes even risky due to a variety of circumstances.
For children, adoption provides a lasting and reliable expectation for their family’s future. Children often have a close bond with the grandparents, so adoption may seem a natural step for both children and grandparents. This can help limit any trauma suffered by the child through loss or separation from parents.
A grandparent adoption can also lead to medical benefits for the grandchild. Typically, the grandchild can qualify as a dependent for the grandparent’s medical plan which can provide more affordable healthcare for the adopted grandchild.
What are the Qualifications Needed for an Oklahoma Grandparent Adoption to be Completed?
In Oklahoma, in order for a grandparent to adopt his or her grandchild, the same exact adoption policies must be followed as a ‘typical’ adoption. There are two important stages in every adoption – including those involving grandchildren – in Oklahoma.
Before the court will grant the adoptive parents (or grandparents) parental rights, it must first discover whether the child is eligible for adoption and whether the prospective parents are eligible to adopt.
For a child to be eligible to be adopted, a party must seek to have the biological parents’ rights’ terminated for a reason enumerated in Oklahoma statutes. This process can be uncontested or contested by the parents.
If the parental rights are terminated, the next step in the adoption process is a determination as to whether it is in the best interest of the child to be adopted by the parties seeking legal parental rights.
During the adoption process, prospective parents will need to go through a number of background checks which include an FBI background check, state criminal background check and search of the child abuse and neglect files of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. The law also requires a home study but in some situations the judge may waive this requirement.
Why Consult with an Experienced Oklahoma Grandparent Adoption Attorney?
As you can see, there are multiple complexities in navigating through the adoption process in Oklahoma. It is important that you contact an experienced Oklahoma grandparent adoption attorney so that you can further understand your options and what the process entails.
With roots dating back to 1932, the name Fry & Elder has long been synonymous with Tulsa family law excellence. The firm has been named to the U.S. New & World Report’s Best Law Firms List every year since 2014.
Contact us today to set up a consultation with an experienced Oklahoma grandparent adoption attorney.