Parenting, children and adoption
Welcome to our parenting, children and adoption law area - free information and resources from the UK's leading lawyers for families created in non-traditional ways.
Parenting and adoption information and guidance
Are you dealing with your legal status in respect of a child you already care for? Read our guidance on acquiring legal status, including legal parenthood and adoption, parental responsibility, and guardianship and special guardianship
Are you considering adopting a child you don't know? Read our guidance on adopting in the UK and internationally
How we can help
We provide cutting edge legal representation for all types of families, including same sex parents and families created through assisted reproduction and adoption. We have acted for many hundreds of gay and lesbian parents and IVF/ surrogacy parents over many years of practice, as well as step parents and others in unconventional family situations. We can help with:
- Adopting a child in the UK
- Intercountry adoption
- Acquiring status for a child if you are a same sex parent, co-parent, step parent
Find out more about our services or contact us for more information or advice.
Children and adoption resources to help you
Court forms you may need:
Parental responsibility agreement
Step-parent parental responsibility agreement
Application for an order for residence, contact, prohibited steps or specific issue
Other websites with useful information:
British Association for Adoption and Fostering - a leading UK charity, which works with adoptive families and gives advice and information on issues of adoption and fostering
Adoption UK - a charity that supports adoptive families and campaigns on their behalf
New Family Social - a support group for gay and lesbian adopters
Stonewall - the UK's leading gay rights and gay and lesbian information charity
Publications for same sex parents:
Stonewall Pregnant Pause Guide for Lesbians
The law itself:
Adoption and Children Act 2002
