Actress Katherine Heigl Adopts a Korean Child
Actress Katherine Heigl, 30, revealed on the Ellen DeGeneres Show that she and her husband, Josh Kelley, 29, are adopting a special-needs child from Korea. The baby girl will turn 1 year old in November.
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Adoption Articles
Biological Father Fights Madonna’s Adoption Appeal
James Kambewa, the biological father of the Malawian child pop star Madonna wants to adopt, has taken steps to campaign against the adoption, including criticizing Madonna’s morals. His efforts may disable Madonna from completing the adoption.
Illegal Immigrant Detained in Police Raid May Lose Custody of Son
An illegal immigrant in jail for her immigrant status may lose custody of her son, whom an American couple adopted when a county court terminated her parental rights. The immigrant’s attorney is fighting for her custody rights. The case highlights the complexity of immigration and family law.
MySpace Reunites Birthmother and Son
A Utah mother and the son she placed for adoption more than 30 years ago reunited Thursday in Redding, California. The pair found each other on MySpace, a social networking website. The son describes the reunion as a source of closure.
Malawi Judge Denies Madonna’s Adoption Petition
A Malawi Judge ruled today against Madonna’s adoption of a 4-year-old Malawi child. The adoption would violate Malawi mandates that adoptive parents be Malawi residents for 18 to 24 months. Madonna is expected to fight the ruling.
Arkansas Voters Pass Ban on Unmarried Couples Adopting or Fostering Unwanted Children
On Tuesday, nearly 57 percent of Arkansas voters approved a ballot measure barring adoptive and foster care children from placement in the homes of couples who are not married.
Nebraska Governor Calls Special Session to Revise Safe Haven Law
Governor Dave Heineman announced today that a special session of Nebraska's legislature will be held next month to revise the state's controversial safe-haven law.
Adoption Glossary
Interested in learning more about adoption law, the types of adoption, and the adoption process? Our glossary of terms will help you understand the meanings of terms commonly used in this area of law.
Adoption Law FAQs
The majority of prospective parents have a number of questions regarding the types of adoption available and the adoption process. Read frequently asked questions about the adoption process.
Types of Adoption
There are multiple types of adoption from which prospective adoptive parents may choose, including agency adoption, independent (private) adoption, international adoption, and relative adoption.
The Adoption Process
The adoption process varies from state to state, and based on the type of adoption chosen by prospective adoptive parents. To learn more about adoption law, contact an attorney in your state.
Adoption Law
Hiring adoption law attorneys makes it more likely that adoptive couples' expectations and goals will be met during the adoption process. Find adoption law attorneys and information at LawyerShop.
Oglala Sioux Tribe to Open Child Advocacy Center in Rapid City
ONTRAC, or Oglala Nation Tiospaye Resource and Advocacy Center, is to open a center in Rapid City in order to improve services to children, tribal notification procedures, and rapport with state agencies.
Malawi Officials Delay Finalizing Adoption by Madonna
Malawi’s Child Welfare Services delayed finalizing Madonna’s October 2006 adoption of David, a Malawian orphan. Agency director Penston Kilembe cited financial and logistical limitations as causing the delay.
Virginia Law Affects Adoption Proceedings for Biological Parents
A Virginia paternity law went into effect July 1 that changes the process by which a biological father’s parental rights are terminated in adoption proceedings.
Couple Seeks Child to Adopt Using Billboards
A LaPorte, Minnesota couple is posting handmade signs throughout Minnesota and Iowa in an attempt to find a child to adopt.
Woman Imprisoned for Helping Teen Lover Seeks Custody Change for Child
A woman imprisoned for the statutory rape of a 15-year-old boy and later helping him flee the state has had her request to remove their 15-month-old son from the care of his foster parents denied.
Couple Seeks Supreme Court Hearing for Child Custody Dispute
A Memphis, Tennessee couple has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a Tennessee Supreme Court order that they relinquish custody of the eight-year-old Chinese girl they raised from infancy.
21 States Rewarded for Increasing Adoption
The federal government has awarded roughly $11.6 million to 21 states that have increased the number of children adopted from foster care.
Conservative public interest law firm sues San Francisco over "anti-Catholic" resolution
The lawsuit, brought on behalf of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights and two San Francisco Catholic citizens, is in reaction to a gay-sympathetic resolution that the city's board of supervisors unanimously passed on March 21.
Surrogate mother keeps children, returns $20,000 fee
Awarded custody of the triplets she delivered for another couple in 2003, a Pennsylvania woman must give back her surrogate's fee, as well as the child support payments from the biological father.
Bogus Illinois Adoption Results in Two Felony Theft Counts
A Caseyville, Ill., woman has been accused of pocketing more than $4,000 in an adoption scam involving two placement agencies and another woman who was led to believe she would be the baby's adoptive parent.
Future of Roe v Wade in Question with Alito Nomination
The 33rd anniversary of the Roe v Wade decision landed at a time when the judgment is once again being challenged. Judge Samuel Alito may be replacing retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, tipping the Supreme Court to a substantial conservative voice.
All 50 States Fail to Comply with Child Welfare Standards
Standards that provide children with quality foster care and health services have been neglected by all 50 states, requiring another round of reviews by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Priority in Adoption -- Biology or Time
The 5th District Court of Appeals in Daytona Beach, Florida will decide if a child's bond to his or her caretakers or biological ties to relatives should determine who has priority in custody and adoption matters.
Minnesota Makes It Easier For Foster Parents To Adopt
Minnesota is launching an experimental program that will hopefully increase the number of foster children who are adopted by continuing to make adequate financial aid available to foster parents after the adoption is finalized.
New Adoption Legislation in Illinois Protects Biological and Prospective Parents
Illinois governor signs adoption legislation that eliminates profiteering and establishes a bill of rights for biological and adoptive parents.
Innovative Kentucky Family Court Tackles Family Issues One Case at a Time
The family court system in Jefferson County, Kentucky is being hailed as efficient and forward-thinking. Its unique organization enables judges to tackle a wide variety of family issues with inventive solutions.