DOMESTIC ADOPTIONS IN TENNESSEE
Ted Kern  can assist in both open and closed adoption of children through East Tennessee.

Open adoptions are were you and the biological parents choose to exchange information whereas in closed adoption, you will have no contact with the biological parents and the parties’ identities are unknown to each other.

Whether you are a private party or currently working with an agency, let Ted Kern and his team help guide you through the adoption process. with an agency or private party, we can guide you through the adoption process.

STEP-PARENT ADOPTION IN TENNESSEE
With the second highest divorce rate in the country in Tennessee, and the remarriage rate in the United States, Stepparent adoptions are very common. To ensure that you have a smooth adoption process it is always a good idea to work with an experience adoption attorney.

With over 35 years of experience in family law, Ted Kern and his office can help guide you through the steps necessary in step-parent adoption in Knoxville  and surrounding East Tennessee areas.

RELINQUISHMENT OF PARENTAL RIGHTS
During Stepparent adoption and the desire to establish a legal right to a child or children, we can draft a voluntary relinquishment of parental rights for the estranged biological parent. In this particular type of adoption the biological parent’s rights must be terminated prior to the adoption moving forward. Both the termination of the biological parent’s rights as well as the stepparent’s request for adoption must be in the best interest of the child.

TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS
Looking to do an adoption but the biological parent is not willing to sign a voluntary agreement? During this type of situation you are able to file a suite for termination of her or his parental rights.

Some of the reasons for termination of parental rights include:

• Incarcerated
• Not active / involved in the child’s life
• Violent Behavior
• Currently Addicted to Drugs or Alcohol

During this you must notify said parent of your intent to terminate parental rights. If their is no response to this notification, a court-order can be issued for termination of parental rights.

Once the rights have been terminated for the estranged parent, you can proceed with the adoption process.

Call our office at 865-637-3900 to schedule an appointment with Knoxville adoption lawyer Ted Kern today.