Contact Us

Couples seeking to adopt a child in the state of Colorado have many options.  Based upon family situation, timeframe and disposable income, adoption can be done domestically, internationally, within a family, or as foster parents.  However you decide to move forward with a Colorado adoption, a Colorado Springs family lawyer can help smooth your path to parenthood. 

International adoption is one of the least expensive and fastest ways to adopt, but it can also be quite complicated.  Criteria changes from one country to the next, and there are many things to learn before embarking on this process.  Each country has different age limits and restrictions on international adoptions.

Adopting a child with special needs can be facilitated through the Social Services department of the state of Colorado. Keep in mind that just because this type of adoption is called “special needs", it doesn’t mean the child is physically or mentally disabled; it simply means he or she is currently in a foster home, from a minority group, or a complication exists with regard to their care.  Many agencies will require that you take a class in “pre-adoption education” before adopting a child with special needs. 

If you are over the age of 21, you are legally entitled to apply for adoption. There is no requirement in Colorado that you are married in order to adopt, but you will have to submit to a home study no matter what type of adoption you pursue.  This will include a series of background checks, a review of your financial status, discussions about your childhood and parenting style, an inspection of your home environment, and many other questions.  Even after you pass all of these tests, Colorado law still requires you to wait at least six months before taking custody of the child.  This is because all parties concerned want to ensure that the adoption is in the best interest of you all involved. 

As you can see, the adoption process has a lot of twists and turns, and most couples find it much more complicated than they expected.  Retaining an experienced family lawyer is a smart way to protect your interests and keep the process moving along smoothly.  Working with a Colorado Springs Family Lawyer will protect you from the myriad unforeseen issues that may arise. 

Patricia Marrison is a Family Law attorney in Colorado Springs, CO. and the owner of the Marrison Family Law LLC, Colorado Springs largest Family Law practice.  The Marrison Family Law LLC is devoted to assisting with the difficulties of the breakup of relationships, be it common law marriage, a non-marriage with children, or dissolution with or without children. We attempt to serve the entire spectrum of relationships, from those couples with the simplest, uncontested dissolution to the highly conflicted relationship involving allegations of domestic abuse.