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

Adoption is a life-changing decision that deserves careful legal guidance. Our board-certified adoption attorneys help families in Tampa navigate the adoption process with clarity, compassion, and confidence—protecting your rights while keeping the child’s best interests at the center of every step.

About Us
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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.

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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.

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120+ Years of Combined Experience

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

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Helping the Most Vulnerable

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

Adoption Legal Services in Tampa

Adoption law is the foundation of our practice. Our Tampa adoption attorneys represent individuals, families, and agencies in a wide range of adoption-related matters, including:

  • Adoptive Parents pursuing private, agency, and foster care adoptions
  • Birth Parents creating informed and voluntary adoption plans
  • Adoption Process Guidance from initial 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 and assisted reproductive law are all we do, we are equipped to handle both straightforward and highly complex cases with precision and care. Florida’s adoption laws are governed by state statutes maintained by the Florida Legislature and require close attention to detail at every stage.

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

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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

Liza Roth's Story

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

The Maly Family

The Maly Family's Story

Do I Need an Adoption Lawyer in Tampa?

Legal representation is strongly recommended for anyone involved in an adoption in Tampa or the surrounding Tampa Bay region. This includes prospective adoptive parents, birth parents making 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 cases, working with an experienced Tampa adoption attorney helps ensure all legal requirements are met, and your family’s future is protected.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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What to Expect: The Adoption Process in Tampa

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 Tampa are handled within Florida’s Thirteenth Judicial Circuit. 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.

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"Navigating the legal side of growing our family through a gestational carrier was one of the most intimidating processes I’ve ever faced, but working with Tate Healey Webster changed everything. From the very beginning, they ensured every legal detail was handled with absolute precision, from drafting our gestational carrier contract to securing our pre‑birth order. Their expertise gave us confidence at every step. When unexpected issues arose at the hospital, they were immediately responsive and stepped in without hesitation. They made sure the hospital understood our rights as the intended parents, which brought us so much peace during an already emotional time. What truly amazed us was how quickly they expedited the amended birth certificate process. Thanks to their diligence and strong communication with the judge, we received our miracle baby’s birth certificate far faster than we ever expected. That moment meant the world to us. This journey can feel overwhelming, but having the right attorney makes all the difference. I cannot express enough gratitude for the support, guidance, and genuine care we received from everyone on this legal team. If you’re considering moving forward with your own family‑building journey, please don’t let the legal process scare you. With this team, you will be protected, supported, and truly cared for every step of the way."

-Kristie

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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 throughout Tampa and the surrounding communities.

  • 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 offer a level of depth few firms can match.
  • Ethical, Team-Based Representation: We do not rush cases or take shortcuts. Our team-based structure ensures that your case continues to move forward, even when timing or circumstances change.
  • 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 Tampa Adoption Attorney

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

Frequently Asked Questions Adoption Attorney in Tampa, 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, foster care, or contested cases may take longer.

Do I need to work with an adoption agency?

Not always. Florida permits private adoptions, and we also work closely with licensed agencies when appropriate.

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 adoption attorney can determine whether termination of parental rights may be applicable.

Can I adopt a child from another state?

Yes. Interstate adoptions must comply with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC), which our firm regularly handles.

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...

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 and excited to be a part of our son’s story. They were very prompt, responsive, and even after adoption was finalized were still there to answer questions we had. I can’t recommend them enough!

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...

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 wrong. This all happened before I got in touch with THW law firm. I started my professional relationship with them when I emailed them in a complete panic. Everyone at the law firm went out of their way for me, and at that time, I wasn’t even a client. Then I was assigned the dynamic duo, Erica and Meredith. My case took a long time due to COVID and strategic maneuvers on our part. I finally was able to officially adopt my grandson on May 12,2025. 
This law firm is not cheap, but you get what you pay for with attorneys, so you don’t want the cheapest one. Also, remember to trust the process. They are the experts and know what they’re doing even if it may not seem so in your layman’s eyes.

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...

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 adoption day and both the attorney and Judge were just   as excited as we were, making it a memorable experience and many happy tears! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making this dream come true for our family!!

Jodi F.
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Speak With Us Today

Your Trusted Partner in the Adoption & Surrogacy Process

With years of experience and a commitment to personalized service, Tate Healey Webster Adoption Attorneys is proud to be a trusted partner in adoption throughout the state. We understand that every adoption is unique, which is why we offer tailored legal solutions and support. If you’re ready to begin your adoption journey, contact us today. Let us help you bring your family closer together through the miracle of adoption.

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