Adoptions

Missouri Adoption Lawyer

Adoption is a great way to give a child a chance for a better life. Although you may be excited to add a child to your family, working through the legal procedures is a necessary step in adoption. At the Law Office of Henry Gerhardt, we have over 30 years of experience zealously representing clients in family law matters.

Private adoption: By consent of the biological parents, a private adoption can streamline the process because there is no adoption agency involved. At the Law Office of Henry Gerhardt, we know the court and statutory requirements, and we will work zealously to represent your needs and proceed in a lawful proper manner.

Grandparent adoption: By consent or if a parent is unfit, unwilling or unable to care for his or her child, a grandparent's intervention may be necessary. We help grandparents adopt their grandchildren by following the lawful requirements.

Step-parent adoption: If the biological parent of your child does not have a close relationship with your child and you are in a relationship with someone else, step-parent adoption may be a logical solution. The biological parent will terminate his or her child support obligations and child custody rights.

Interstate adoption: We understand the risk in bringing a child across state lines. There can be serious legal consequences if the adoption is not in total compliance with multiple states' laws.

Foreign and international adoption: If you are adopting a child from a foreign country through an agency, you must deal with the foreign laws of the other country. Many countries have tightened their adoption laws in an attempt to limit the availability of children being purchased on the market.

Recognition of foreign adoptions: After you have adopted a child from a foreign country, there are requirements in the Naturalization Service and in the state of Missouri to obtain formal recognition of the adoption.

Contested adoption: A contested adoption involves terminating the parental rights of a biological parent who wishes to keep custody of the child. Contested adoption can only happen if there is proof of a six month window of abandonment, neglect or failure to support the child.

Schedule an Appointment

If you are interested in adoption, please contact our office. We are conveniently located two blocks from the Bass Pro Shopping Center in St. Charles, Missouri, and we are open from 8:30-5:30. To schedule your free initial phone consultation, please call 636-946-7900.

Law Office of Henry Gerhardt

721 South Fifth Street
St. Charles, MO 63301
Telephone: 636-946-7900 | Fax: 636-946-2832
Map and Directions

The Law Office of Henry Gerhardt is located in St. Charles, Missouri, and represents clients throughout the area, including the cities of St. Peters, O'Fallon, Lake St. Louis, Troy, Wentzville, Warrenton, St. Louis, Bridgeton, Maryland Heights, Earth City, Elsberry and Hermann as well as St. Charles County and St. Louis County.