Trusted Adoption Attorneys
Legal Guidance for Families Growing Through Adoption
Why Choose Simmons & Hodge, PLC for Your Adoption Journey?
Adoption is a powerful and life-changing experience where legal guidance is essential. Our attorneys are skilled in handling complex adoption issues and can guide you through the adoption process, so you have peace of mind that your new family member is legally, truly, and forever your child.
Our Adoption Legal Services
Helping Families Grow — Legally and Compassionately
We help clients in both contested and uncontested cases with the following types of adoptions:
🏛️ Agency Adoption
🏛️ Parental Placement (Private) Adoption
🏛️ Stepparent Adoption
🏛️ Close Family Adoption (Grandparents or other Relatives)
🏛️ Adult Adoption (for inheritance, care, or other purpose)
🏛️ Re-Adoption for Children Adopted Internationally
Agency Adoption
An Agency Adoption involves the placement of a child with an adoptive family through the Department of Social Services or a licensed child-placing agency. Once the birth parents’ rights have been terminated and the agency consents, our attorneys can quickly finalize the adoption, often without a court hearing.
Parental Placement (Private) Adoption
A Parental Placement Adoption involves the biological parents directly placing the child with the adoptive parents. Although we do not participate in pairing birth parents with adoptive parents, once that decision is made, we can help navigate the legal process and assist in finalizing the parental placement adoption.
Stepparent, Close Family & Adult Adoptions
Family-based Adoptions help formalize existing relationships and are often preceded by the death of a birth parent or due to the birth parent(s) abandonment of a child. We make the process simple and respectful, recognizing the strong family bonds already in place.
Re-Adoptions in the US for Children Adopted Internationally
Deciding to adopt a child born outside of the United States is a dream come true for some families, but it is also the start of a complex legal process. One of the steps in the process is re-adopting the child once the child is in the U.S. A “re-adoption” finalizes the foreign adoption, by adopting the child again in the United States, ensuring all federal and state laws for the adoption have been followed. This occurs after all of the immigration requirements, Hague Convention requirements, and requirements of the child’s country of birth have been met.
âť“ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do I need an attorney for an adoption in Virginia?
A: Yes. Adoption involves legal steps that must be carefully completed to ensure the adoption is valid and cannot be challenged in the future.
Q: What is the difference between an open and closed adoption?
A: An open adoption allows contact between the biological and adoptive families. This is usually accomplished via a written contract or Post Adoption Contact Agreement (PACA), which can include limited contact such as yearly updates sent by mail or regular physical visitation.
A closed adoption does not allow contact between the biological and adoptive families. This type of adoption protects the identity of the biological parents and the child, although even a closed adoption may include disclosure of essential information such as the child’s heritage and medical history.
We can help you decide what type of adoption is best for your family.
Q: Can a stepparent adopt without the other biological parent’s consent?
A: In some cases, yes—especially if the other parent has abandoned the child or their rights have been legally terminated. We will evaluate your situation and explain your options.
Q: What is a re-adoption?
A: Re-adoption is the process of legally recognizing a foreign adoption under U.S. law.
Your Family’s Future Deserves Legal Protection
Let the attorneys at Simmons and Hodge, PLC stand beside you during your adoption journey. Compassionate, experienced, and committed to your success.
Schedule a Consultation Today
Let us help you bring your family together. Contact the attorneys at Simmons and Hodge, PLC. Call our office at 540-710-7800 or contact us online.
