Adoption Attorney in Tampa

Thoughtful Legal Guidance For Building Your Family

At Givens Law Group, we help adults who are ready to make a permanent commitment to a child and want to be confident that every legal requirement has been met. Our adoption attorneys have spent decades working with Florida families on matters that involve parental rights, custody, and complex court proceedings. We understand how much this decision means, and we approach adoption with the same preparation and professionalism we bring to our most complex cases.

Our firm is led by Board Certified Marital and Family Law Attorney Stann W. Givens, together with Founding Partner Christian Givens. Clients come to us because they want a respected Tampa adoption lawyer who understands both Florida law and the local courts, and who will guide them through each step with clarity and care.

From private and stepparent adoption to agency and relative adoption, our Tampa adoption lawyer is here to help. Call (813) 328-6159 or contact Givens Law Group online to get started.

Why Families Choose Our Adoption Attorney in Tampa

Families pursuing adoption are often united by one concern: ensuring the process is handled correctly the first time. Adoption directly affects parental rights and a child’s long-term well-being, making experienced legal representation essential.

• Board-Certified Family Law Leadership: Our leadership includes a Board-Certified Marital and Family Law attorney, the highest level of evaluation by The Florida Bar in this area. Board certification reflects substantial trial experience, rigorous testing, and peer review. For clients, this means their attorney has demonstrated a deep command of Florida family law, including the statutes and case law governing adoption and termination of parental rights.
• Recognized Authority in Florida Family Law: Our attorneys have served in leadership roles that help shape Florida family law. Stann Givens is a former Chair of The Florida Bar’s Board Certification Committee for Marital and Family Law and a former President of the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
• Established Reputation with Courts and Peers: Professional recognition reflects this history of service. Our attorneys are listed in The Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers, and Givens Law Group has been named to U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Law Firms.” Judges and opposing counsel in Hillsborough County recognize our preparation and professionalism, which can influence the tone and efficiency of adoption cases.
• Solution-Focused Advocacy: Our philosophy is to be part of the solution, not the conflict. We work to resolve parental rights issues efficiently and cooperatively whenever possible, while remaining fully prepared to litigate when hearings or trials are required. This balanced approach is especially important when adoption involves a non-consenting parent or an existing custody order.

Adoption is ultimately about providing a child with stability, permanence, and security. Every strategy we pursue is guided by that goal, ensuring the legal process supports the best possible outcome for the child and the family.

Types Of Adoption Matters We Handle in Tampa

Every adoption arises from a different family story, and the legal path can vary depending on individual circumstances. We represent adults seeking to formalize an existing bond with a child, as well as those welcoming a child into their home for the first time.

• Stepparent Adoption: Many of our clients pursue stepparent adoption, where one biological parent remains active in the child’s life and consents to the adoption. The other biological parent may need to consent or have parental rights terminated based on specific grounds under Florida law. We help families evaluate whether those grounds may exist, how consents can be obtained, and what risks should be considered before moving forward.
• Relative Adoption: We assist grandparents and other relatives who have been providing day-to-day care and want to secure legal parental rights through relative adoption.
• Adult Adoption: Provides a way to formally recognize a long-standing parent-child relationship when the person being adopted is over 18. These matters often focus on affirming an emotional bond, clarifying inheritance issues, or aligning legal status with the reality of family life.
• Agency and Private Placement Adoptions: Some clients work with adoption agencies or private placements and need experienced counsel to handle the court process in Hillsborough County. Others face more complicated circumstances, such as a biological parent who objects, lives outside Florida, or cannot be located. In each situation, we take time to understand the facts, explain available paths, and develop a plan grounded in the law and the child’s best interests.

No two adoption matters are the same. Our role as your Tampa adoption lawyer is to help families understand their options, navigate the legal process, and move forward with clarity and confidence at every stage.

How The Adoption Process Works Here

Understanding the basic steps of adoption can make the process feel more manageable. While each case is unique, Florida adoptions generally follow a series of common stages that we tailor to your specific situation and the requirements of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in and for Hillsborough County.

Key steps in a typical adoption include:

• Initial consultation and review of your relationship to the child and any prior court orders.
• Analysis of required consents or grounds to terminate parental rights, including strategies to address missing or uninvolved parents.
• Preparation and filing of petitions, consents, and supporting documents with the Hillsborough County circuit court.
• Completion of any required background checks, reports, or limited home studies, depending on the type of adoption.
• Attendance at a final hearing where the judge reviews the case and, if satisfied, enters a final judgment of adoption.

Timelines can vary. Factors such as how quickly consents are obtained, whether a biological parent contests the proceeding, and court scheduling in Tampa all affect how long the process takes. We keep clients informed about expected timeframes and any developments with the court calendar so they can plan around work, school, and family obligations.

Throughout the process, our role is to anticipate issues, prepare thorough filings, and ensure that you understand each step before it occurs. We strive to make the legal side of adoption as orderly as possible so that you can focus on the significance of the day when the court finalizes your child’s place in your family.

Managing Complex Adoption and Parental Rights Issues

Not every adoption proceeds on a straight path. Some involve complex questions about how and when a biological parent’s rights may be terminated, how to address prior court orders, or how to proceed when there has been a history of conflict. In these cases, careful legal analysis and a steady approach become especially important.

We often meet stepparents or relatives who have raised a child for years while a biological parent has had limited or no involvement. Florida law provides specific grounds for terminating parental rights, such as abandonment or long-term failure to support, but those grounds must be evaluated in context. We work with clients to assess whether the facts may support a petition and what evidence would likely be required in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit.

Other matters involve existing parenting plans, support orders, or dependency cases from Hillsborough County family or juvenile courts. Adoptions in these settings can intersect with ongoing obligations and court oversight. Our adoption attorneys have extensive experience in contested custody and timesharing litigation, which helps us anticipate how past orders and case histories may affect an adoption strategy.

Balanced advocacy is central to how we handle these challenging matters. As certified mediators and seasoned trial attorneys, we are able to negotiate and use structured discussions to resolve disputes when that is appropriate. When litigation is necessary, we are prepared to present your case with careful preparation and a clear focus. Our reputation for professionalism in Tampa courts reinforces that we take each adoption seriously, particularly when the issues become complex.

Working With Our Adoption Attorney in Tampa

When you contact Givens Law Group, our first step is to listen. During an initial consultation, we ask about your relationship to the child, the role of each biological parent, any prior court involvement, and your goals for adoption. We use this information to provide an assessment of the legal path ahead and to answer your immediate questions.

We recognize that adoption is both a legal and an emotional process. Our philosophy is to be part of the solution by managing conflict where possible and remaining focused on the child’s long-term stability. Families in Tampa and surrounding communities choose us because they value a calm, disciplined approach backed by board-certified leadership, decades of collective experience, and recognition in respected legal publications.

Your path to adoption deserves careful, experienced legal support. Speak with a Tampa adoption attorney today. Call (813) 328-6159 or contact Givens Law Group online.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I eligible to adopt a child in Florida?

Many adults are eligible to adopt in Florida, including stepparents, relatives, and unrelated adults who meet statutory criteria. Eligibility often turns on your relationship to the child, your background, and whether parental rights can be addressed. We review your circumstances and explain what the law allows in your situation.

How long does a typical Tampa adoption take?

Timeframes vary, but many uncontested adoptions in Hillsborough County can be completed within several months. Factors include how quickly consents are signed, whether reports or home studies are required, and the court’s schedule. In our first meeting, we outlined a realistic timeline based on your specific facts.

What if a biological parent will not consent?

Lack of consent does not automatically end an adoption effort, but it does change the analysis. Florida law recognizes specific grounds for terminating parental rights, and courts examine evidence closely. We evaluate whether those grounds may apply and discuss negotiation, mediation, or litigation options tailored to your case.

Will we need a home study for our adoption?

Some adoptions require a home study or similar assessment, while others, such as many stepparent or close relative adoptions, may qualify for limited or waived studies. The requirements depend on your relationship to the child and the statutes that apply. We explain what to expect and help you prepare.