adoption attorney fort lauderdale florida

Adoption Attorney in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Adoption is more than a legal process—it’s the creation of a family. At Tate Healey Webster, we proudly serve Fort Lauderdale and surrounding communities with legal guidance that is compassionate, strategic, and highly experienced. Whether you’re an adoptive parent, birth parent, stepparent, or relative seeking to provide a child with a safe and permanent home, our team is here to walk beside you through every legal step.

Fort Lauderdale’s adoption landscape includes a wide range of cases—from private infant placements and international adoptions to complex foster care interventions and relative adoptions. With decades of focused adoption experience, our attorneys bring the skill and sensitivity needed to guide you confidently forward. If you need an adoption attorney in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Tate Healey Webster is here for you.

Full-Service Adoption Representation in Fort Lauderdale

Our firm is known statewide for providing thorough and ethical representation for a wide variety of adoption matters. In Fort Lauderdale, we assist clients with:

Private Domestic Adoptions

We guide families through the full legal process of adopting a newborn or infant through private placement, including matching, consents, home studies, and finalization. We also represent birth parents, ensuring their rights and interests are protected throughout.

Stepparent and Relative Adoptions

In many cases, stepparents, grandparents, and other relatives are already raising the child and simply need to formalize that bond. We help streamline this process, even in cases where the biological parent is absent or uncooperative.

Foster-to-Adopt and DCF Interventions

For children in the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), we represent relatives or foster families seeking to adopt. Our team is highly experienced in intervening in dependency cases to protect the child’s best interests and ensure long-term stability.

Same-Sex Couple and LGBTQ+ Adoptions

Tate Healey Webster is proud to support LGBTQ+ individuals and couples in building their families. We provide respectful, inclusive legal services for same-sex couple adoptions, second-parent adoptions, and single-parent placements.

Agency and Interstate Adoptions

We collaborate with licensed Florida and out-of-state agencies to complete placements and ensure compliance with ICPC (Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children) when adopting across state lines.

Contested Adoptions and Termination of Parental Rights

When legal hurdles arise—such as opposition from a biological parent or uncertain legal custody—we advocate forcefully on behalf of our clients to achieve safe and permanent outcomes for the child.

Serving Families Across Broward County and South Florida

We proudly serve adoptive families, birth parents, and relatives throughout:

  • Fort Lauderdale (Downtown, Victoria Park, Rio Vista, Coral Ridge)

  • Plantation, Weston, and Sunrise

  • Hollywood, Miramar, and Pembroke Pines

  • Wilton Manors and Oakland Park

  • Pompano Beach and Deerfield Beach

Whether you’re located in the heart of Fort Lauderdale or the surrounding suburbs, our legal team offers both in-office and virtual consultations to make legal support accessible and convenient.

Why Families Choose Tate Healey Webster in Fort Lauderdale

  • Decades of Focused Adoption Law Experience
    We’re not a general family law firm. Adoption is what we do—day in and day out.

  • Led by Nationally Recognized Attorneys
    Our leadership team includes some of the most respected adoption lawyers in Florida, with a proven record in complex and high-stakes cases.

  • Compassionate, Personalized Approach
    We treat every client like family, recognizing the emotional importance of the adoption process and providing guidance that is empathetic and respectful.

  • Clear Communication at Every Step
    We walk you through what to expect, prepare every legal document with care, and represent your interests powerfully in court when needed.

  • Culturally Aware and Inclusive
    We serve diverse families from all backgrounds and are proud to represent multicultural, LGBTQ+, and multilingual households.

Frequently Asked Questions About Adoption in Fort Lauderdale

Can I adopt without going through an agency?
Yes. We handle private (independent) adoptions where adoptive and birth parents connect directly or through referrals, with all legal requirements handled by our firm.

What if I can’t locate the child’s other parent?
Florida law has procedures for situations where a parent is missing, unknown, or uninvolved. We can guide you through the process for notification, publication, or termination of rights.

How long does a stepparent adoption take?
Most stepparent adoptions can be completed in 60–90 days once parental rights have been terminated or consent has been obtained.

Is there financial support for foster care adoptions?
Yes. Families adopting from foster care may be eligible for state subsidies, post-adoption benefits, and Medicaid for the child. We’ll help you apply and qualify where appropriate.

Contact Our Fort Lauderdale Adoption Attorneys Today

Adoption is a powerful act of love—and you deserve a legal team that brings knowledge, care, and commitment to your journey. At Tate Healey Webster, we’re proud to help families in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County create lasting, legally protected bonds. Whether you’re just starting or facing a legal challenge mid-process, we’re here for you.