Your Roadmap to a Loving Single-Parent Family

This Guide Demystifies New Jersey’s Adoption Process as a Single Parent, Alleviates your Worries, and Equips You to Grow Your Family.

There are numerous children in need of a loving home. In New Jersey, adoption is possible for individuals and couples across a wide range of family structures, as the state is one of the more liberal in terms of who is legally allowed to adopt. No longer is adoption only available to heteronormative, married couples; there are no such outdated restrictions on adoption.  That said, some adoption agencies prioritize certain statuses over others, and if a birth parent is involved, it is always their choice among potential adoptive families. Single individuals make up a large subset of people who adopt in New Jersey. But along the way, they ask, “Will my single status negatively impact my ability to adopt?” If you are single and interested in adopting in New Jersey, having the support of a family law attorney can make the difference in navigating the adoption process. Contact our team at Bronzino Law Firm for a free consultation to discuss your journey. Read on to learn more about some of the nuances of adopting as a single person.

Building a Family through Adoption as a Single Parent in New Jersey

Given that single parents can legally adopt in New Jersey, it is important for an individual to consider the advantages and disadvantages of opting for adoption solo. The ultimate advantage is that a child will absolutely benefit from your love and care as a parent; a single parent can change a child’s world and fortify their life trajectory. There are also adoption agencies that specialize in single-parent adoption and others with a depth of experience placing children with single parents. Working with one of these agencies makes adopting as a single parent an achievable feat. That said, there are some related disadvantages to being a single parent when navigating the adoption process. Some adoption agencies prioritize couples because of a “two is better than one” mentality. Additionally, birth parents may choose couples over single parents as a general rule, but there will always be exceptions to this. For this reason, it can be helpful to work with a family law attorney familiar with best practices for the adoption process and agencies with a history of matching children with loving single-parent homes.

Why Single Parents Deserve Equal Consideration

There are no inherent differences between single parents and couples when it comes to adoption. The best home for a child depends on a variety of factors, and none of them is the quantity of people in the home. A single parent can show through their application and home visits that they are a nurturing and stable environment for a child, just as a couple can.

What Makes a Single Person Eligible to Adopt a Child in NJ?

In order to be eligible for adoption, state law provides that an individual must be over 18 years old and adopt someone at least 10 years their junior. This means that a 20-year-old could only adopt a 10-year-old or younger child. Additionally, the adopting individual must show that they have a stable income and space for the child in their home, which they may or may not own. Finally, even non-U.S. citizens may file for adoption. However, they must be on the path to citizenship and remain in the country throughout the course of the adoption process.

The above criteria are legal baselines for a single parent to seek to adopt. However, some adoption agencies have additional criteria, so it is important to research agencies and find the one that is a good fit for you as an individual and your desires in adoption.

Get the Experienced Advice of Our Family Lawyers Regarding Adoption in Brick, NJ

The adoption process includes an application, in-person interviews, an in-depth home study, review of your personal and professional well-being, and a criminal background check. An experienced family law attorney at Bronzino Law Firm will walk you through each stage of this process, preparing you to overcome any obstacles you come across as a single parent on the adoption journey. First, we will help connect you with an adoption agency that is aligned with your vision for adoption.

Our team has helped numerous singles on the trying yet fulfilling road to becoming adoptive parents in Belmar, Bay Head, Brick, Holmdel, Manasquan, Red Bank, Point Pleasant, Manalapan, Tinton Falls, and across Ocean and Monmouth County. We pride ourselves on our commitment to building strong families by supporting our clients in their legal preparation for parenthood. Contact us today at (732) 812-3102 for a free consultation to discuss your path to adoption.