For many parents, the bond with your children is the most important relationship in your life. In some circumstances, however, your right to that relationship may be compromised by a potential adoption or other circumstances. Birth parents in the State of New York may often have rights that they do not realize.
An Albany birth parents’ rights lawyer from Tully Rinckey PLLC can answer questions you may have about your parental rights. We can sit down with you, review your specific situation, and advise you on what rights you may have and how you could exercise them. Our family attorneys can also represent you with legal filings or proceedings that may be necessary to secure your rights.
Birth parents have various rights with respect to their biological children, including the right to object to an adoption. Generally, under New York Domestic Relations Law §111, both birth parents must consent to an adoption of their child if that child was born in wedlock. If the child was born out of wedlock, the birth mother and birth father have certain rights that must be respected and followed by the courts.
A biological father’s right to object to an adoption of an out-of-wedlock child depends on when that child was placed in adoptive care. According to NYDRL §111, a birth father must consent if their child was placed in adoptive care more than six months after birth and they maintained continuous or repeated contact with that child.
“Continuous or repeated contact” means the payment of a reasonable amount of child support in addition to either of the following:
There are different requirements if the child was born out of wedlock and was under six months of age when placed for adoption. Under NYDRL §111, a birth father has the right to consent to adoption in these circumstances only if:
Birth parents generally have the right to consent to private placement adoptions. These adoptions are ones that proceed without the assistance of an adoption agency. According to NYDRL §115-B, one or both of the birth parents may consent to a private placement adoption in person before a judge.
The birth parent may also consent to an adoption through a signed and notarized written statement. In such instances, the birth parent has 45 days to revoke consent under the aforementioned statute. If the parent revokes consent, then they may retain custody of their child if the adoptive parents do not contest the revocation. Otherwise, a judge must hold a hearing to determine custody based on the best interests of the child.
If you are the biological parent of a child, you may be wondering what rights you have if someone is seeking to adopt your child. Fortunately for you, a qualified Albany birth parents’ rights lawyer from our firm is available to help you answer these questions.
At Tully Rinckey PLLC, our attorneys are familiar with New York State law and could use that experience to benefit you. For example, we could review your situation and tell you what your options are, as well as represent you in any legal proceedings needed to exercise your parental rights. Call 8885294543 or email info@tullylegal.com
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