MN law requires that adoptions be filed in court so that the best interests of the child can be protected. Our attorneys will facilitate the legal proceedings including obtaining records, drafting documents as required by the type of adoption proceeding, filing documents with the court, and representing the Petitioner in Court.

Services to facilitate the process and legal proceeding of adoption including obtaining consent form when the other biological parent agrees to terminate his/her parental rights.

Services include Petition for Termination of Parental Rights Pending Stepparent Adoption when petitioner is not able to find the other biological parent or they are not willing to consent to their rights being terminated. May require other necessary steps such as depositions, interrogatories, and requests for production of documents.

Obtaining adult adoptee consent to the adoption, file adoption matter with the court, obtain records, petition court, draft proposed adoption decree, and attend a court hearing with the petitioner and adoptee.

An official Minnesota state form that can be used to establish the legal relationship between a father and his child when the child’s parents are not married. If two parents sign a Recognition of Parentage, a paternity case is not required. Resolving disputes related to custody, parenting time, and child support can be addressed by opening a custody case, if necessary.

The Minnesota Fathers’ Adoption Registry (MFAR) is for fathers who:

Were not married to the mother of their presumed child when the child was born, and

Have not asked a court to name them as the child’s legal father, or

Have not signed a Recognition of Parentage form with the child’s mother, and

Want to know if their presumed child is in the adoption process

Before an adoption becomes final in Minnesota, the law requires a search of MFAR. The purpose of the MFAR search is to find out if a putative father has registered.

Court filing, document drafting, process service including Notice of Application for Name Change and Notice of Hearing (or publish notice of hearing if unable to locate non-applicant parent, and represent petitioner in court.)

Change of legal name through marriage, divorce/legal separation, or by filing a name change action in court. The process of filing a name change action involves drafting documents, notifying third parties, and attending court hearing.

Under Minnesota law, to apply for a legal name change the person must:

have lived in the State of Minnesota for a least six (6) months before filing the application;

file the Application for Name Change in the county where the applicant currently lives;

be at least 18 years old (a parent, legal guardian, or next-of-kin may apply on behalf of a minor child); and

pay the court filing fee or get a Fee Waiver.