Some types of adoption come with relatively modest costs, but others can present a financial challenge to many families. Most step parent adoptions and parental placement adoptions are usually considered to be affordable by today's standards and, if requested,...

Virginia Adoption Law And Procedures
The Putative Father Registry
In 2006, Virginia joined a growing number of states in creating a Putative Father Registry. There has been a bill before congress for quite some time which would create a National Putative Father Registry, but to date, it has not been enacted. What is the...
What Constitutes a Close Relative Adoption in Virginia?
It is not uncommon today for birth parents to place their child for adoption with a close family relative. The procedures to adopt a family member are somewhat easier than procedures to adopt a non-relative. Who is Considered a "Close Relative" in a Relative...
What is Included in a Post Adoption Contact and Communication Agreement?
What is Included in a Post Adoption Contact and Communication Agreement? A Post Adoption Contact and Communication Agreement (PACCA) is a very technical document, which must include everything provided for by the appropriate statutes.It therefore must be prepared by a...
Overview of Parental Placement Adoption in Virginia
In Virginia, birth parents may place their child directly for adoption with any family they choose, subject to legal procedures designed to ensure that the placement is in the best interests of the child. This type of adoption is often called either private...
Where Should I File an Adoption Petition?
An Adoption Petition must be filed in the Circuit Court of the county or city where the Petitioners live. However, if the child was placed by an agency, the petition may be filed in the county or city where the agency is located. An exception to this...