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

Adoption Attorney in Merritt Island, Florida

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

Adoption is a life-changing journey that deserves thoughtful legal guidance and compassionate support. Our board-certified adoption attorneys help families in Merritt Island navigate adoption and family formation with clarity, confidence, and care 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 and Family Formation Services in Merritt Island

Adoption law is the core of our practice. We represent individuals, families, and agencies in a wide range of adoption and family formation matters, including:

Adoption services for adoptive parents, birth parents, and relative caregivers
Guidance through the adoption process, from initial planning through finalization
Foster care adoptions and DCF adoption finalizations
LGBTQ+ adoption and family formation, including second-parent and stepparent adoption
Surrogacy and donor-assisted reproduction
Assisted reproductive law matters involving IVF, donor agreements, and parentage
Name change services related to adoption or family transitions
International adoption and Florida readoption or recognition
Stepparent adoption and adult adoption

Because adoption and ART law are all we do, we are equipped to handle both straightforward cases and highly complex situations with precision and care.

How We Help

Exclusive Focus on Adoption Law

Working with attorneys who practice exclusively in adoption and assisted reproductive law means a team with deep, specialized experience handles your case.

Ethical, Child-Centered Representation

Every decision is guided by what is best for the child while respecting the rights and dignity of all involved.

Prepared for Complex Cases

From contested parental rights to interstate or international adoptions, experienced legal guidance helps anticipate challenges and avoid delays.

Consistent Support From Start to Finish

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

Experienced Adoption Lawyers The Benefits of Working With a Merritt Island Adoption Attorney

Whether you are hoping to adopt, considering an adoption plan for your child, or stepping in to care for a relative, adoption involves deeply personal and legally complex decisions. Tate Healey Webster provides experienced, ethical adoption representation to families throughout Merritt Island and the surrounding Brevard County area. 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 team helps families move forward with informed guidance, steady communication, and a commitment to doing things 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 Merritt Island?

Legal representation is strongly recommended for anyone involved in an adoption or family formation matter in Merritt Island or Brevard County. This recommendation applies to adoptive parents, birth parents creating an adoption plan, relatives seeking to adopt, foster parents, and families pursuing assisted reproductive technology. Adoption law can be especially complex when consent is contested, when multiple states or countries are involved, or when parentage must be established through court proceedings. Even in seemingly straightforward cases, having experienced legal guidance helps protect your family’s future.

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 Merritt Island

1. Initial Consultation and Case Review

The process begins with a confidential consultation to understand your goals and explain how Florida law applies to your situation.

2. Legal Preparation and Coordination

Our team prepares and reviews all required documents and coordinates with agencies, DCF, medical providers, or other professionals as needed.

3. Court Proceedings and Finalization

We represent families in Florida courts and guide them through hearings and the adoption finalization process.

4. Ongoing Guidance and Support

If additional legal steps are needed after finalization, we remain available to support your family. General court information is available through Florida Courts Help.

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

Why Choose Tate Healey Webster?

Choosing the right adoption attorney matters. Tate Healey Webster brings experience, integrity, and focused dedication to adoption cases across Merritt Island and Florida.

Focused Adoption Law Experience: Our firm includes multiple board-certified adoption attorneys and decades of combined experience.
Ethical, Team-Based Representation: Our structure ensures your case continues moving forward, even when timing is critical.
Trusted by Courts and Colleagues: Judges, agencies, and attorneys across Florida rely on our firm for ethical, thorough adoption representation.

Begin Your Adoption Journey With Confidence

Schedule a confidential consultation with our experienced Merritt Island adoption attorneys to discuss your situation and next steps.

Frequently Asked Questions Adoption Attorney in Merritt Island, FL

Do I need an adoption attorney in Florida?

Yes. Adoption involves complex legal requirements, and an attorney ensures compliance with Florida law and court procedures.

Can LGBTQ+ individuals and couples adopt in Merritt Island?

Yes. Florida law permits adoption by individuals and couples regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Do you handle foster care and DCF-related adoptions?

Yes. We regularly assist families with foster care adoptions and DCF finalizations.

Can you help with adoption if I live outside Florida?

Often, yes. Florida allows nonresidents to finalize adoptions in certain situations.

How do I get started?

The first step is scheduling a confidential consultation to discuss your goals and legal options.

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.

View All Testimonials

Adoption Attorney in Merritt Island, Florida

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

Adoption and Family Formation Services in Merritt Island

Exclusive Focus on Adoption Law

Ethical, Child-Centered Representation

Prepared for Complex Cases

Consistent Support From Start to Finish

Experienced Adoption Lawyers The Benefits of Working With a Merritt Island Adoption Attorney

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 Merritt Island?