http://www.mcfarlinglaw.com/practice-areas/adoption/ | When deciding to adopt, get to know as much as possible about what steps to expect and the laws governing adoption in Nevada, or your state. It may take time, but the great reward will be having the chance to change a child’s life—and yours—forever.

2. When you decide to pursue
adoption, your first steps will
involve getting to know as
much as possible about how
adoption works in your state.
It may seem intimidating at
first, but the more you
familiarize yourself with
adoption law in Nevada and
all the services available to
help you along, the easier it
will get.
The great reward after a
complex process is having the
chance to share your home
and your life with a child who
needs you.

3. Legal requirements vary, depending on the status of each child. Some adoptions are handled by public
state and county agencies, and others can be handled privately, by a qualified Las Vegas adoption
attorney. Consider private adoption with the help of an attorney for:
• Blood-related children: the
children of a blood relative
who cannot care for them.
The biological parent must
consent, or their parental
rights must first be legally
terminated.1
• Stepchildren: blended
families, or children of
separated and divorced
biological parents may be
adopted by a stepparent.
The same parental consent
requirements apply as for
blood-related children.1

4. Adopting non-blood related children
requires more complex legal steps.
Work through licensed private
agencies or state and county child
welfare agencies.
Public agencies primarily handle
adoptions of special needs infants
and children. Find out the
requirements for adopting special
needs kids.
If eligible, you will be placed on an
inquiry list, until contacted for a
home study program (a background
investigation). When approved, you
are placed on a waiting list.
This is a great time to find support
networks and learn about how to
welcome a new, adopted child.

5. There is more flexibility in the type of adoptions
parents choose than ever before. Think through
the short-term and long-term consequences of
each approach for you and the child before
deciding how yours will work.
• Traditional adoption: adoption agency
selects the child. There is no contact
between birth and adopting families, and
no identities are shared. 2
• Semi-traditional adoption: birth parents
read home studies (without identifying
information) and participate in choosing
adoptive families. Adopters see non-
identifying information about birth parents,
and there is no face-to-face contact.2

6. • Semi-open adoption: birth parents read home studies, minus identifying information,
and help choose the adopting family. Birth and adopting parents will meet face-to-face.2
• Open adoption: birth and adopting parents mutually agree on how much identifying
information they will share. 2
Both birth mother and father must sign a Consent to Adopt, but not before 72 hours after the
birth. (Exception: if one or both birth parents have their parental rights terminated).2

7. You may not qualify as eligible to adopt in
certain circumstances. Some of the
disqualifying factors include if you:
• give birth to a child
• adopt a non-special needs child
• move out of state
• move and cannot be contacted
• have 2 or more birth children, 2 or more
adopted children who are non-special
needs, or adult children living at home
for more than 18 months3

8. As an adoptive parent, you will fulfill
a special mission, and have years of
joy to share with your growing
children. Ensure a smooth process
and a happy future for them by
becoming fully acquainted with the
legal and social demands of
adoption.
If you adopt a special needs child
through an agency, learn about their
particular needs and the specialized
services available.
Additional requirements apply when
you adopt an infant through a public
agency. If a special needs adoption is
not for you, contact a private or
international adoption agency, and
consult a qualified adoption attorney.

9. McFarling Law Group, founded in 2003, is
committed to improving the lives of families
through advocacy, service, and conflict resolution.
Emily McFarling, Esq. is an award-winning
certified family law specialist who has helped
many families successfully complete adoptions.
Contact us at 702-565-4335, or visit
www.mcfarlinglaw.com.

10. 1. http://www.mcfarlinglaw.com/practice-areas/adoption/
2. http://dcfs.nv.gov/Programs/CWS/Adoption/Guide/FAQs/
3. http://dcfs.nv.gov/Programs/CWS/Adoption/Guide/InfantAdoptions/