| Overview of a Putative Father |
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| A putative father is an alleged father or a father out of wedlock. The putative father typically claims that he is the biological father of the child even though the mother failed to recognize his identity on the child's birth certificate.
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| Adoption and Safe Families Act - Permanency Plans and Hearings |
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| The Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) requires states to conduct a permanency hearing within 12 months of a child's placement in foster care and at least every 12 months thereafter for as long as the child is in foster care. The date of the child's placement in foster care is the earlier of the following two dates: the date of the first judicial finding that the child is abused or neglected, or 60 days after the removal of the child from his or her home.
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| Divorce Proceedings |
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| If spouses decide to divorce there are many things they must consider. First, whether or not they are going to seek separate or joint representation. If the divorce is uncontested, meaning neither party objects to it, then the spouses may seek joint representation. The spouses may also separate representation or represent themselves. However, if the divorce is contested the spouses may seek either joint or separate representation or may represent themselves. More... |
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| Guardian Ad Litem |
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| What is a guardian ad litem? A minor cannot be a party to a lawsuit without assistance. Therefore, when a minor is a party to a lawsuit, the court appoints a guardian ad litem to represent the minor.
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| International Adoption - Overview |
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| The process of adopting a child from a foreign country is far more complicated than adopting a child who is a United States citizen. Prospective parents who wish to adopt a foreign child must comply with the laws of the child's home country, the laws of the United States, and the laws of the prospective parents' state of residence. Due to the legal complications inherent in international adoptions, persons who wish to adopt a foreign child should consult an experienced attorney or an adoption agency that specializes in international adoptions.More... |
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301-869-5359 [Rockville/Germantown]
