Adoption

Wisconsin Adoption Lawyers

You are always looking out for the best interests of your family. At Grady, Hayes, and Neary, we understand that. From helping families expand via adoption to helping birth mothers fulfill adoption plans for their children, our law firm assists a variety of people involved with the adoption process. We can make sure your rights are protected and look out for the best interests of your child.

Attorneys Stephen Hayes and Elizabeth Neary are members of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. With over sixty years of combined experience, they have won a wide variety of cases in the trial and appellate courts and successfully fought for change in Wisconsin adoption law. We represent clients involved in all aspects of the adoption process:

• Adopting Families
• Birth Mothers
• Wisconsin Adoption Agencies
• Foster Parents

Adoption Litigation

When everything goes according to plan, the adoption process is relatively simple. We can help you make sure you take care of all the details that can be easy to overlook. But it isn't always that straightforward. If your case is more complicated, we can help you understand your options and figure out the best course of action:

• Birth Mothers: A number of obstacles can stand in the way of a birth mother's placing her child for adoption. We can help you protect your rights if the birth father or the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) is preventing you from making your chosen placement. We can also help with the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC), which concerns out-of-state adoptive parents or birth parents.
• Disrupted or Dissolved Adoptions: If the placement of an adopted child in your home is not working, for whatever reason, it may be best for everybody involved if the child finds a new home. Sometimes children suffer from Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). We can help your family get the help it needs.
• Wrongful Adoption: Are you an adoption agency or caseworker being sued for an alleged failure to fully inform adopting parents about the child being adopted? We can assist you in defending such a claim or lawsuit. Call us if such a claim has been filed.

Adoption Q&A

Below are some answers to questions concerning adoption:

1. What expenses can be paid as part of an adoption proceeding in Wisconsin?
2. Is it necessary to engage a licensed child welfare agency in a private adoption?
3. What are gestational surrogacies, and do they occur in Wisconsin?
4. What is the current status of international adoptions?
5. What happens if there is an adoption between a birth parent and adopting parents from different states?
6. What happens when an adoption does not work?
7. What legal steps may be taken when children are raised by non-parents?

Fact Sheets

To better acquaint yourself with the different facets of our adoption practice, click here for a list of adoption fact sheets, as well as articles about the topic.

Introductory Adoption Conference

Are you considering adoption? We offer introductory adoption conferences so that you can get the information you need to make the right decision for your family. From where to look for information, which route to take to adoption, cost, fees, locating a birth mother, whether you should pursue international or domestic adoption, and general questions about the process, we offer this service at a flat fee.

Contact Us

We want to help you make the best decision for your family. Whether you are pursuing a simple adoption, an adult adoption, or simply the right to find a better home for your child, we can help. Contact us today for more information about our adoption services.