Adoption comes in many forms. Some cases are very simple and straight-forward while others are more complicated.

In Wisconsin, the parental rights of the birth parents must be terminated before there can be an adoption. We strive to be sensitive to the needs of the birth parents and adoptive parents while keeping the welfare of the child as our top consideration. We are well-versed in all types of adoption.

Agency

In agency adoptions, a licensed adoption agency matches the birth parents and adoptive parents, provides education, counseling, home studies, post-placement services and takes guardianship of the child until the adoption is finalized. We work with the parties through the legal process — from ­filing the appropriate documents to completing the hearing required for the termination of the parental rights of the biological parents. Along the way, we provide legal advice to prevent mistakes that could lead to financial and emotional loss.

Independent

In independent adoptions, the birth parents and adoptive parents locate each other. An adoption agency is still necessary to provide the same services as in an agency adoption, and the same termination of parental rights procedure is necessary. But in this type of adoption, the court, not the agency, makes the adoptive placement

Relative

Birth parents may place a child for adoption in the home of a relative. If the relative has a completed home study, the adoption can be finalized immediately following the termination of parental rights.

Stepparent

When a parent remarries, a stepparent often assumes the emotional and financial responsibility of his or her spouse’s children. In many cases, especially when the children’s birth father is not involved with them, an adoption is a logical step. This ensures that the legal relationship between the stepparent and child is as secure as the emotional relationship.

Interstate

When a child is adopted into or from another state, the rules of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children must be followed. This means that we need to comply with the legal requirements of both states. We are very familiar with interstate adoptions and the steps that must be followed to ensure a successful placement.

International Adoption

When a child is adopted from another country, we will assist with the child’s immigration to the United States, handle a termination of parental rights if necessary, finalize the adoption or re-adoption in Wisconsin, and obtain proof of the child’s citizenship from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Let us worry about the legal forms and papers that need to be filed. We will make sure that your adoption complies with international treaties and ethical standards, as well as federal and Wisconsin law.

We don’t walk away from the tough cases. Not all terminations of parental rights are voluntary and we aren’t afraid to seek an involuntary termination of parental rights when there are statutory grounds. We have years of experience in litigating such cases.

Custody and placement are two of the most important issues to be resolved in both divorce and paternity cases, not only during the initial proceedings, but throughout the children’s lives until they turn 18. Unfortunately, disputes over custody and placement arise even years after the divorce or paternity judgment. Our experienced attorneys can help find a resolution and can step in when new issues arise for your family.

Child Custody — Making it work for your child.

We believe “winning” a divorce case is finding the best solution for the family, especially for the child. Children have a right to the most secure and stable family environment, no matter what the adults are experiencing in their own relationship.

We are dedicated to helping families throughout Wisconsin minimize the traumatic effects of divorce including the financial and emotional costs. Our experienced attorneys will use their negotiating and legal skills to obtain the best results.

We are prepared to handle divorce cases in a variety of ways.  Our attorneys are trained in the collaborative model (a team-centered approach used to resolve family law disputes) and use creative methods to find the best solution for the entire family.  When collaboration and/or settlement are not possible, we are experienced litigators and strong advocates for our clients’ best interests.  At an initial consultation, the full range of options is fully explored and the client decides which approach best fits his or her situation.

For more information on the collaborative approach, please visit the following:

All About Collaborative Divorce – Wisconsin Woman, December 2009

Collaborative Family Law Council of Wisconsin

When a child forms a bond with his foster parents, it’s a good sign. It shows comfort, security and attachment. This bond needs to be delicately handled when considering the child’s permanent home. We help foster parents understand their rights to visitation, custody or other relationships that may be in the foster child’s best interests.

Legal Rights of Foster Parents

Child Guardianship

Sometimes children need someone to advocate for their best interests and make decisions for them.

A guardianship establishes a legal relationship between a child and an adult, but it does not end the legal relationship between the child and his or her legal parents. With a guardianship, the guardian can enroll a child in school, make medical decisions and, often, include the child on the guardian’s health insurance plan. A guardianship does not, however, take away a legal parent’s ability to also do those things for their child.

A guardianship can give parents support when they need help from another adult in caring for their child. The parent might be unavailable due to illness, travel, legal problems or circumstances beyond his or her control. A guardianship is a way for other adults to help the child as well as the parent.

Adult Guardianship

Making the decision to seek a guardianship or protective placement of an older adult is one of the most difficult decisions a family member can face. When older adults lose the ability to care for themselves, make decisions, or protect themselves or their property, it is sometimes necessary for an alternate decision-maker – usually a family member – to become guardian. Sometimes, an older adult may need to be placed in a protective environment.

We are sensitive to the delicate balance between an individual’s need for autonomy and the family’s concerns for their safety and well-being. We help family members who are seeking guardianships and protective placements, while preserving the independence and dignity of the older adult in every way possible.

A divorce or other legal action is difficult enough when both parties are in the U.S. When crossing borders, the legal issues become even more complex. The Law Center for Children & Families has decades of experience handling treaty compliance, obtaining jurisdiction, creating parenting agreements across borders, dividing property located in different countries, and dealing with enforcement problems. Our practice includes Hague Petitions and non-Hague solutions in international abduction and wrongful retention cases.

Families today take many forms. Many times it takes the law some time to catch up to today’s definition of family. We find creative solutions for both parents to have a legal relationship with their child.

Adoption and Parentage

In a same-sex relationship, it is important to establish legal protection for both parents’ relationship with the child.  It is crucial to protect children in the event of dissolution of the relationship or the death of one of the parents.

We have a history of success helping same-sex couples in the following areas:

• Adoption
• Surrogacy
• Assisted reproductive technologies
• Donor agreements, both egg and sperm
• Guardianships

California’s Prop 8 is Declared Unconstitutional

On August 4, 2010, in a case called Perry v. Schwarzenegger, Judge Vaughn Walker of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California declared Proposition 8 unconstitutional. What does the decision say and mean?

Read a summary of the Prop 8 decision or the court decision in its entirety.

Wisconsin’s Domestic Partnership Law

Many clients wonder how Wisconsin’s domestic partnership law, which took effect on August 3, 2009, will affect them. Here is a brief explanation of the law.

Courts in Wisconsin recognize that biological fathers have rights and obligations to their children. We represent both mothers and fathers in establishing paternity and protecting their children.

The relationship between children and their grandparents is a special one – a link to the past and a positive influence for the future. We can help protect that relationship even if there is objection by one or both of the parents.