Columbus Ohio LGBT Gay Adoption Attorney

Wolfe Legal Services provides Ohio attorneys for LGBT parenting, including adoption and foster parenting, by individuals and couples, regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, marital status, political belief or physical handicap, so long as they are qualified and approved to do so. Now that the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Ohio gay marriage, courts should allow gay adoption in Ohio in the same way as a heterosexual married couple.

Gay couples wanting to adopt a child have historically had obstacles that married, heterosexual couples do not. The challenges change depended on the type of adoption they are seeking: international, domestic or second parent. We expect because the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of gay marriage, gay couples should be able to adopt in Ohio. International challenges may still exist when it comes to gay adoption in Ohio.

Some states and countries do not allow adoptions by any unmarried couples. This is not the case in Ohio, though. Countries such as China and Russia may not allow married gay couples to adopt, while others do not allow singles to adopt which also prevents many gay adoptions.

What we used to do in Ohio for many gay couples is called a second parent adoption, which is the adoption of a child by a second residential parent who is not married to the legal parent. A second parent adoption allows a second parent to adopt a child without the legal parent losing any parental rights. Adoptive parents in Ohio have the same rights and obligations as biological parents in parenting time and child support matters.  Second parent adoption is still available in Ohio for unmarried gay / LGBT couples.

Our attorneys have extensive experience in working with LGBT families. We are “LGBT” friendly as recognized by the Judges, Magistrates, and fellow Attorneys in Central Ohio.   Call now for a free consultation.