Adopting a child is a deeply rewarding experience, while giving up a child for adoption can be quite emotional.

In both situations, you’ll have to comply with Kentucky law to find the right fit for your family’s unique needs. Whether you’re a hopeful adoptive parent or a birth parent looking to find a better home for your child, Michele Wilson Jones offers compassionate and sensitive legal services that put you and your child first.

Parental Rights in Kentucky

In Kentucky, a child’s parent must give up their parental rights to allow for adoption. An expecting mother can voluntarily give up these rights if she establishes an adoption plan with an adoption agency. However, Kentucky also requires birth parents to wait 72 hours after childbirth to consent to all adoptions.

Adoption Attorney Whitley City

Giving Up a Child for Adoption in Kentucky

If you want to give up your child for adoption, you can begin the process of doing so at any time before the child turns 18. This means during pregnancy, immediately after birth, or even while your child is a teenager, though any child age 12 or older must consent to their adoption. A lawyer can help you work through giving your child up for adoption.

Adoption Attorney Whitley City

How Kentucky Adoption Works

In Kentucky, any adult age 18 or older who has lived in Kentucky for at least one year can adopt children in Kentucky, except in the case of foster adoptions. Kentucky adoptions work as follows:

Adopting a Stepchild

If the courts determine that your stepchild's biological parent who isn’t your spouse has effectively abandoned the child, you may be able to adopt the child without that parent’s permission. Otherwise, you’ll need the biological parent’s consent.

Family adoption

Extended family members such as grandparents and siblings may be able to adopt their family members in Kentucky. For this adoption to occur, a judge would have to deem the biological parents negligent. Foster parenting or guardianship may be better options – Michele can help you decide.

Same-sex couple adoption

Same-sex couples can jointly adopt children in Kentucky, with one exception: Same-sex couples may not adopt stepchildren. Single LGBTQ+ people don’t have different limits for adoption than other Kentucky adults.

Foster parent

To be a foster parent, you must be 21 years of age or older. You can also adopt foster children without first becoming a foster parent, as long as you seek to adopt only foster children who are up for adoption.

In adoption matters, Michele Wilson Jones is on your side

Michele Wilson Jones is more than a lawyer. She’s a community leader who wants the best for everyone who calls McCreary County home. Don’t drive all the way to the big cities to find adoption lawyers – Michele is here, and she loves working with the community where she’s spent her whole life.

While the adoption process can be intimidating, Michele is anything but. She prides herself on balancing her legal knowledge with her compassionate, caring approach to sensitive family matters like adoption. Plus, you can just swing by our offices to speak with Michele whenever our doors are open. You don’t need an appointment, but it never hurts to make one – click below to schedule a no-obligation consultation and take the first step toward exactly the future you envision.

Ph. (606) 376-2200

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A Proven Record

of Legal Victories for Our Clients

aarti G.
aarti G.
09:11 28 Oct 24
Ordered food for catering: Excellent food. Spoke to Rahul, Easy to order. Food was delicious, arrived on time. The whole experience was stress free and awesome. Will definitely order again and recommend. Keep up the great job!!
Cassandra H.
Cassandra H.
20:48 21 Oct 24
Love Calcutta Wrap & Roll! Been ordering from them for years now and they never disappoint!! The food is consistent and very tasty. I often get delivery from them and never really wait unreasonably long for my order. They are very accommodating and the few times I have ordered on site the staff were very professional and friendly.
Shereen C.
Shereen C.
22:14 04 Sep 24
Went there for the first time today with a friend. Amazing food, amazing staff, amazing experience. We dined in and got the lunch special, which is a great value. We will be back soon! Best indian food in the area.
Sheila T.
Sheila T.
15:49 20 Aug 24
Ordered take out. Food was very good for a small place thanks Rahul you made my meal complete
Marie T.
Marie T.
22:44 16 Aug 24
Authentic, consistently delicious and served quickly and with a smile. When you are in the mood for great Indian cuisine in a casual setting. My husband and I love it.
Jackeline G.
Jackeline G.
22:48 11 Aug 24
Great and helpful customer service. Food is consistently yummy and comes out quick from the kitchen. Inside is clean as well so that’s always a plus. Would reccomend to anyone looking to try Indian for the first time!
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Location

127 Main Street
Whitley City, KY

Hours

Monday to Friday
8:30 am – 4:30 pm