Bringing Your Family Together

There are many parents who struggle with the responsibilities and obligations that come with raising a child. Some are addicted to drugs or alcohol and are just unable to provide the child with a stable environment. Others may be suffering from mental health conditions that will require extensive treatment.

In many of these situations, grandparents, relatives or friends may step in to raise the child. While they may be able to provide the child with a place to live and other basic necessities, they will be unable to make legal decisions for the child unless they have been named as the child’s guardian.

At the law offices of Kathleen J. Smith, we assist with all aspects of guardianship proceedings in California. We believe strongly in helping families protect the best interests of their children. We want to make sure that the child is placed into a situation where they will have the opportunity to achieve success.

Call 707-387-0668 to discuss your specific situation with an experienced lawyer. We have offices conveniently located in Santa Rosa and Sonoma.

What Happens In Guardianship Proceedings

Whether you are seeking an emergency or permanent guardianship, there are some basic things that you need to know about the process. There will be an extensive investigation to determine if the guardianship is in the child’s best interests. The parents of the children may contest the guardianship, and this could make things take even longer.

Our legal team will help you determine what you will need to do to be successful with your petition. We will be persuasive advocates for the child in the courtroom to show why your requests should be granted. We have handled many of these matters in the Sonoma County family courts, and we understand the issues that will be examined during this process.

Assisting With Stepparent Adoptions

In addition to helping with guardianship matters, we also represent families in adoption proceedings, including stepparent adoptions. This can be a much more complicated process than it seems. We will help you terminate the parental rights of the biological parent to allow the adoption to move forward. Some of these proceedings may be heavily contested, and it is extremely important to have an experienced attorney to provide you with guidance and advice throughout the process.

We also assist stepparents with the investigations that are a part of the adoption proceedings. We will help you demonstrate that you are fit to serve as a parent for the child, and show why the adoption is in the child’s best interests.

Reach Out For More Information About How We Can Help

To learn more about how Kathleen J. Smith, Attorney at Law, can help, call us or send us an email.