LGBTQ+ Adoptions in Panama City Beach

Contact The Virga Law Firm, P.A. for Quality Legal Assistance

The sad reality is that same-sex couples have frequently been discriminated against and had trouble securing quality family law assistance in the state of Florida and across the U.S. In fact, for a long time, LGBTQ+ people were not even legally allowed to adopt children.

Thankfully, the Florida Court of Appeals has found such restrictions to be unconstitutional, and with 2015’s Supreme Court ruling making same-sex marriage the law of the land, LGBTQ+ partners in Florida and throughout the nation are now free to start the happy families they deserve. Yet the battle for equality isn’t over yet. A lot of prejudice still exists against LGBTQ+ individuals in this country, and with laws and policies in constant flux from one state to the next, securing loyal representation can still be difficult for many queer couples.

At The Virga Law Firm, P.A., our Panama City Beach same-sex adoption attorneys say no more. Our experienced team is committed to facilitating LGBTQ+ adoptions, and will guide you every step of the way as you begin this journey. Parenthood is wonderful, but adoption can be complicated and time-consuming. Make sure you hire an LGBTQ+ adoption lawyer who will stand up for your rights, with The Virga Law Firm, P.A.

For more questions about the adoption process for same-sex couples, call (800) 822-5170 today.

What It’s Like to Adopt as An LGBTQ+ Couple

In the state of Florida, there are 3 types of adoptions currently available to LGBTQ+ couples.

Contact our Panama City Beach LGBTQ+ adoption lawyers at The Virga Law Firm, P.A. for assistance with:

• Joint adoption by a married couple: In Florida, same-sex spouses may file for joint adoption. LGBTQ+ couples in the state are only allowed to pursue joint adoption if they are married.
• Single adoption by an LGBTQ+ parent: If a same-sex couple is not married, or a single LGBTQ+ individual wants to become a parent, they are free to pursue adoption through a private agency or the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). If you go through the DCF, you must take classes, undergo interviews, complete questionnaires, and pass an at-home visit test. Private agencies are often less rigorous when it comes to adoption proceedings, however, they also tend to be more expensive. Under single adoption, only one partner in an unmarried LGBTQ+ couple will legally be the parent of an adopted child, even if both partners are raising the child together, which is why it is essential to hire a lawyer to walk you through this legal process.
• Second parent adoption: LGBTQ+ individuals who have already adopted a child or who have a child from a previous relationship may seek a second-parent adoption if they are married. This will allow their spouse to also legally be considered the child’s parent.
• Stepparent adoption: Essentially a less expensive version of second parent adoption, stepparent adoption is open to homosexual and heterosexual couples. For LGBTQ+ spouses, it allows one partner to legally become the stepparent of the other partner’s child.

For Lawyers that Are Always on Your Side, Hire The Virga Law Firm, P.A.

Because adoption regulations are often restructured or reevaluated, hiring a lawyer who really knows family law is more essential for LGBTQ+ individuals than ever. Without a skilled attorney, same-sex adoptions can be dishearteningly difficult, and drag on for a long time. At The Virga Law Firm, P.A., our Panama City Beach LGBTQ+ adoption lawyers strongly support the LGBTQ+ community, and have the resources and knowledge necessary to expedite this complex process so you can become parents as soon as possible.

Give us a call today at (800) 822-5170, or contact our firm online. We are available to talk to clients 24/7.