Practice area · California
Agency and private adoption
The legal side of agency, private and relative adoptions in California, from the first consent to the finalization hearing.
For families adopting through a licensed agency, privately (sometimes called independent adoption), or within the family.
Book a consultation Free 20-minute call to startExample fee: $3,500 to $12,000 (flat fee, example range). What's included
In plain words
Adoption has many moving parts: consents, a home study, court forms and sometimes a second state. We handle the legal work so you can put your energy into your family.
We do not find children or birth parents, and we never arrange or pay for a placement. Licensed agencies do that work. When an agency or an expectant parent is already part of your story, we make sure each legal step is done right and done kindly.
Every adoption keeps its own pace. A court calendar, a home study visit or another state's office can all change timing, so you get honest updates from us, not a promised date.
Situations we help with
- Agency adoption filings and consents
- Private (independent) adoption
- Relative and kinship adoption
- Adopting a child you already foster
- Adoptions that cross state lines
- Adult adoption
- Preparing for the finalization hearing
- A new birth certificate afterward
Step by step
How it usually goes
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1
A free 20-minute call
Tell us where things stand. We tell you which kind of adoption fits and what California asks of you.
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2
Home study and paperwork
A licensed provider or your agency does the home study. We prepare consents, notices and court forms and keep them in order.
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3
Approval from another state, if needed
When a child is born in another state, both states sign off before you travel home. We work with local counsel there.
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4
Finalization
We file the petition, walk you through the hearing the day before and stand with you in court. Family and friends are welcome.
No lawyer can promise an outcome or a date. Courts, agencies, clinics and other states all move at their own pace. We tell you what we know, when we know it. Things that often change the pace:
- The court's calendar
- Home study scheduling
- Another state's approval
- A party who is hard to reach
- Medical timing
- Records from a clinic or agency
- Another country's paperwork
Example fee
$3,500 to $12,000
Flat fee, example range. Agency adoptions usually sit near the low end. Private adoptions, with more people and more consents, sit higher.
Included
- Planning consultation
- Consents, notices and court filings
- Working with your agency and home study provider
- The finalization hearing
Paid separately
- Agency and home study fees
- Court filing fees
- Local counsel in another state
Your exact fee is in your plan letter before you sign. Payment plans are available. All fees
Rules differ by place
California has its own rules on consents and on when a consent becomes final. Another state or country can have very different rules, and the state where a child is born often decides which ones apply.
We practice California law, and bring in licensed local counsel when another state or country is involved.
We never match or broker
We do not match families with children, birth parents, surrogates or donors, and we never arrange or pay for a placement. Licensed agencies and clinics do matching. We handle the law.
General information
This website is general information, not legal advice. Reading it, calling us or sending a form does not make Kith & Kin your lawyer. That happens only when we both sign an engagement letter.
Questions about adoption
Will you help us find a child or a birth parent?
No. We never match families, advertise for expectant parents or arrange paid placements. Licensed agencies handle matching. We handle the legal work once a placement is part of your plan.
How long will our adoption take?
We can't promise a timeline. It depends on the kind of adoption, the home study, any other state involved and the court's calendar. We tell you what we know at every step.
Can a single person or an unmarried couple adopt?
Many single people and unmarried couples build their families through adoption. Which path fits depends on your situation, so we talk it through on the first call.
Other paths families take
Free 20-minute call
Talk through your adoption plans.
A free 20-minute call with an attorney who does this work every week. You will hear which steps apply to you, what California asks for, and what an example fee of $3,500 to $12,000 would cover.
Prefer to text? (510) 555-0163. Dee replies within one business day.