Growing Families With Heart Florida's Largest Adoption, Surrogacy & Donation Law Firm

Adoption Attorney in Jacksonville, Florida

Compassionate Support. Unmatched Experience. You’re in the Right Place to Build Your Family

Adoption can be one of the most meaningful ways to build a family—but it also involves life-changing legal decisions. Our board-certified adoption attorneys help families in Jacksonville navigate adoption with clarity, compassion, and confidence from start to finish.

About Us

Industry Leadership

Helped shape Florida adoption law, leaders on numerous state committees, and the only firm in FL with Assisted Reproductive Technology & ADOPT Fellow of Distinction.

Board-Certified, Specialized Attorneys

Five board certified adoption attorneys out of 28 in the entire state, with each attorney specializing in a specific area of family formation law.

120+ Years of Combined Experience

Over 5,000 families successfully helped with six offices across the state of Florida.

Helping the Most Vulnerable

Finalize adoptions for 150+ children each year pro bono, moving them from Foster Care into permanent homes.

Adoption Services in Jacksonville

Adoption law is the core of our practice. Our Jacksonville adoption attorneys represent individuals and families in a full range of adoption-related matters, including:

Adoptive Parents navigating private, agency, and foster care adoptions
Birth Parents creating informed, voluntary adoption plans
Adoption Process Guidance from consultation through finalization
Foster Care & DCF Adoptions, including permanency planning and finalizations
LGBTQ+ Adoption & Family Formation, including second-parent and stepparent adoptions
Surrogacy & Donation Matters connected to family building
Assisted Reproductive Law and Parentage Protection
Stepparent Adoption for blended families
Adult Adoption to formalize long-standing family relationships
International Adoption Recognition and Re-Adoption
Legal Name Changes related to adoption and family alignment
DCF Adoption Finalizations for children in foster care

Because adoption law is all we do, we are equipped to handle both straightforward and highly complex cases with care and precision. Florida’s adoption laws are governed by state statutes maintained by the Florida Legislature and require close attention to detail at every stage.

How We Help

Exclusive Focus on Adoption Law

Working with attorneys who practice exclusively in adoption law means your case is handled by a team that understands the legal, emotional, and practical realities unique to adoption in Florida.

Ethical, Child-Centered Representation

Every decision we make is guided by what is best for the child, while respecting the rights and dignity of birth parents and adoptive families alike.

Prepared for Complex Cases

From contested parental rights to interstate placements, experienced adoption counsel helps anticipate challenges and protect your family from avoidable delays or setbacks.

Consistent Support From Start to Finish

Adoption involves many steps and moving parts. Dedicated legal guidance ensures continuity, communication, and steady progress throughout the process.

Experienced Adoption Lawyers Experienced Adoption Guidance in Jacksonville

Whether you are hoping to adopt, considering an adoption plan for your child, or stepping in to care for a relative, adoption is never just a legal process; it’s a deeply personal journey. At Tate Healey Webster, our Jacksonville adoption lawyers offer experienced and ethical representation for adoption to families throughout Northeast Florida. As Florida’s largest law firm exclusively focused on adoption and assisted reproductive law, we bring unmatched depth of experience and a child-centered approach to every case. Our role is to protect your family, your rights, and your future, while guiding you through the adoption process the right way.

Why We Do What We Do Hear the Stories of Families We've Helped

1/2

If I didn’t have Tate Healey Webster involved, I really don’t think I would have gotten the adoption and I might have actually lost my grandson.

Liza Roth

We were referred to Tate Healey Webster and immediately they were super responsive & really helpful. The firm got it done!

The Maly Family

Do I Need an Adoption Lawyer in Jacksonville?

Legal representation is strongly recommended for anyone involved in an adoption in Jacksonville or Northeast Florida. This includes prospective adoptive parents, birth parents creating an adoption plan, relatives seeking to adopt, and caregivers involved in foster care or DCF cases. Adoption law can be especially complex when consent is contested, when a child has lived in multiple states, or when the Florida Department of Children and Families is involved. Even in seemingly straightforward adoptions, working with an experienced adoption attorney helps ensure all legal requirements are met, and your family’s future is protected.

Our Full Team

Family Formation Specialists Meet Our Team

At Tate Healey Webster, every team member specializes in a specific area of family formation law. You'll work with an expert attorney who has deep experience in your particular need—whether it's adoption, surrogacy, or another practice area.

Attorney Jeanne T. Tate

Jeanne T. Tate is a nationally recognized adoption law pioneer with 40+ years protecting children and families.

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Board-Certified Adoption Attorney

AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell

Recognized as one of the Top 10 Attorneys statewide

Partner Erica T. Healey

Erica Tate Healey is a board certified adoption attorney, serves on the Florida adoption board certification committee, and has been recognized as a Florida Rising Star and Florida Super Lawyer since 2015.

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Board-Certified Adoption Attorney

Fellow of the Prestigious AAAA

Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star Every Year Since 2015

Partner Robert L. Webster III

Rob is the Vice President of the Florida Adoption Council and provides board-certified adoption and appellate expertise, guiding agencies, families, and attorneys through high-stakes litigation.

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Board-Certified Adoption Attorney

Awarded the Best in Tampa Award in the Adoption Category

Fellow of the Prestigious AAAA

Attorney Danelle D. Barksdale

Danelle is a board-certified adoption attorney who has guided thousands of families through secure Florida adoptions since 1999. Former Chair of the Florida Bar’s Adoption Law Certification Committee and Fellow of the AAAA, she is widely trusted for her experience, steady guidance, and attention to detail.

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Board-Certified Adoption Attorney

AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

Has handled over 2,000 adoptions

Attorney Molly McCarthy

Molly McCarthy protects children and builds families with compassionate adoption advocacy across Northeast Florida.

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Admitted to the Florida Bar

Adoption & Asssisted Reproductive Law Attorney

Of Counsel Kevin J. Healey

Kevin J. Healey brings seasoned trial experience, supporting Tate Healey Webster’s adoption and TPR matters across Florida.

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Litigation Support Attorney

Founder and Operator of a Home Healthcare Company

Of Counsel Martha A. Curtis Boggs

Martha remains Of Counsel; board-certified in adoption law, and handles assisted reproductive law matters.

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Board-Certified Adoption Attorney

Pro Bono Program H.A.V.E A HEART Award

Fellow of the Prestigious AAAA

What to Expect: The Adoption Process in Jacksonville

1. Initial Consultation and Case Review

The process begins with a confidential consultation to understand your goals and circumstances. We explain how Florida adoption law applies to your situation and outline potential paths forward.

2. Legal Preparation and Coordination

Our team prepares and reviews all required legal documents, coordinates with agencies or DCF when applicable, and ensures compliance with Florida law and local court requirements.

3. Court Proceedings and Finalization

Adoption cases in Jacksonville are handled within the Fourth Judicial Circuit, which includes Duval and surrounding counties. We represent you in court and guide you through the finalization process.

4. Ongoing Guidance and Support

If additional legal steps are needed—such as post-placement matters or record updates—we remain available to support your family. General information about Florida family courts is available through the Florida Courts Help website.

Featured in the Media Educating Our Community on Local & National News

Why Choose Tate Healey Webster?

Choosing the right adoption attorney can shape your entire experience. Tate Healey Webster brings unmatched expertise, ethical rigor, and a focused adoption-only practice to families in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida.

Focused Adoption Law Experience: Our firm is dedicated solely to the practice of adoption and assisted reproductive law. With multiple board-certified adoption attorneys and decades of combined experience, we bring a level of depth few firms can match.
Ethical, Team-Based Representation: We do not cut corners or rush cases. Our team-based structure ensures continuity, responsiveness, and careful oversight—so your case never stalls due to timing or availability issues.
Trusted by Courts and Colleagues: Judges, agencies, and attorneys across Florida trust our firm with high-stakes adoption matters. That reputation reflects our commitment to doing what is right for children and families.

Talk With a Jacksonville Adoption Attorney

Schedule a confidential consultation with our experienced adoption attorneys to discuss your situation and take the next step toward building or protecting your family in Jacksonville.

Frequently Asked Questions Adoption Attorney in Jacksonville, FL

How long does adoption take in Florida?

Timelines vary based on the type of adoption. Some stepparent or relative adoptions move quickly, while private or contested cases may take longer depending on the circumstances.

Do I need to work with an adoption agency?

Not always. Florida permits private adoptions, and we also collaborate closely with licensed agencies when necessary. An attorney can help determine the best course of action for your situation.

What if a birth parent does not consent?

Florida law allows adoption to proceed in certain circumstances, such as when a child is abandoned. An experienced attorney can evaluate whether termination of parental rights may be appropriate.

Can I adopt a child from another state?

Yes. Interstate adoptions must comply with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC). Our firm regularly handles these cases and ensures proper compliance with relevant regulations.

Client Testimonials Words from Families We’ve Helped

A wonderful experience adopting our son

We had a wonderful experience adopting our son from foster care thanks to Tate Healey Webster! Erica Healey and her team were not only knowledgeable, but were also so supportive...

Victoria M.

Everyone at the firm went out of their way for me

I want to let everyone know that I highly recommend this firm. I had an extremely strange case. Just about anything and everything that could’ve went wrong… went wr...

Liza R.

Made this dream come true for our family!

We had the best experience with Tate, Healey, and Webster Adoption attorneys. Briana was extremely helpful, putting us at ease the entire time through the process. Today was ado...

Jodi F.

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Adoption Attorney in Jacksonville, Florida

Compassionate Support. Unmatched Experience. You’re in the Right Place to Build Your Family

Adoption Services in Jacksonville

Exclusive Focus on Adoption Law

Ethical, Child-Centered Representation

Prepared for Complex Cases

Consistent Support From Start to Finish

Experienced Adoption Lawyers Experienced Adoption Guidance in Jacksonville

Why We Do What We Do Hear the Stories of Families We've Helped

If I didn’t have Tate Healey Webster involved, I really don’t think I would have gotten the adoption and I might have actually lost my grandson.

We were referred to Tate Healey Webster and immediately they were super responsive & really helpful. The firm got it done!

Do I Need an Adoption Lawyer in Jacksonville?