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When you adopt a child you become the child's legal parent and they will usually take your surname. They will also inherit from you
just as if they were born to you. Upon the granting of an adoption order the child's natural parents will no longer have any rights or responsibilities
towards the child.
It is always our recommendation that you discuss your adoption application with a solicitor prior to, or just after your application is
considered by the adoption panel. Adoption is a major decision in every ones life, including yours, and should only be made after considering the legal implications fully.
You can apply for an adoption order as soon as the child starts to live with you but your application will not be heard for at least
three months. If the adopted child is a new-born baby the three months can only start when they have reached six weeks of age. If you adopt an older
child or a child with special needs you may want to wait a while before applying for the adoption order. If you are adopting a child from overseas an
adoption order cannot be granted until the child has lived with you for twelve months.
The adoption hearing itself is usually a fairly brief affair. In court you, and the child if they are old enough, might be asked some
questions and the decision to grant or refuse the order is usually made there and then.
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