Successfully Navigating Foster Adoption

In the course of fostering a child, you may decide to transition the child’s temporary place within your family into a permanent role. While many parents love their foster children and look to formally adopt them or become their guardians, the process itself can be overwhelming. You must wade through the review of a subsidy before moving to adoption or guardianship.

Shelley B. Ballard PC can help you untangle these concerns and guide you through the foster adoption or guardianship process. Ms. Ballard is an approved attorney on the statewide Adoption Attorney Panel for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), therefore all attorney’s fees and court costs are paid directly to the firm by the state of Illinois and there is no cost to you. With over 30 years of adoption experience, we know how to avoid mistakes and resolve complications that arise during the adoption.

What Does Foster Adoption Entail?

Foster care adoption involves a series of mandated steps, including:

  • Background check and fingerprints
  • Physical exam
  • Home inspection
  • 27 hours of classroom training

All types of families are eligible to foster and adopt or become legal guardians, including single persons and same sex couples. If you are an Illinois resident who is looking to adopt or become the guardian of a foster child within Illinois, there are no legal or agency fees, and you will receive a monthly stipend even after the adoption or guardianship is complete. However, if you would like to adopt or become the guardian of a child across state lines, fees and processes can vary.

Contact Our Lawyer For Experienced Representation

Adopting a child is a joyful process that should not be unnecessarily stressful. Shelley B. Ballard PC can relieve some of your anxiety by providing the knowledge and experience you need to successfully adopt or become a legal guardian of a foster child. An adoptive parent herself, Ms. Ballard understands what your family is going through and makes it as easy as possible for you to grow your family.

Call us at 312-316-0912 or contact our offices online to schedule a consultation. For your convenience, we have office locations in both downtown Chicago and in the suburb of Skokie.