Adoption and Step-Parent Adoption

Adoption and Step-Parent Adoption  Court lawyers serving Akron

Serving Akron, Canton, Summit County, Portage and Medina, Ohio.

At Hoover Kacyon, LLC, we are honored to help families grow through adoption. Whether you’re an expectant birth parent, a hopeful adoptive family, or a step-parent seeking legal recognition of your role, adoption is a deeply personal and legally complex process. Our experienced attorneys represent clients throughout Summit, Portage, Medina, Stark, and surrounding counties, helping ensure that every adoption is ethical, thorough, and secure.



From voluntary infant placements to step-parent and adult adoptions, our firm brings legal clarity and heartfelt guidance to each unique case.

Representing Adoptive Families

Adoption begins in many different ways. Some clients come to us early in their journey, asking for help choosing a licensed agency or understanding adoption law. Others retain our services once they’ve been matched with a birth parent, or after a child has already been placed in their care.



We help families complete all legal filings required for adoption, including the Petition for Adoption, court-required documentation, and coordination with agencies. Whether your case is simple or involves contested proceedings or appeals, our attorneys provide steady, informed guidance until your adoption is finalized.

Representing Birth Parents

We are also proud to represent birth parents throughout Ohio. Whether you are planning a private adoption or working with an agency, we treat you with the dignity and compassion you deserve. Many birth mothers come to us early in pregnancy to discuss options and placement goals. Others reach out just before or after the birth. We help evaluate adoptive families, secure appropriate support, and ensure all legal rights are explained before any decision is made.


We also represent birth fathers, helping protect their legal rights and assist in voluntary placement where appropriate. In every situation, we prioritize confidentiality, compassion, and respect for your unique path.

Finalizing and Litigating Adoptions

Most adoptions proceed smoothly, but when legal conflicts or complications arise, we are fully prepared to respond. Our firm handles a wide range of adoption matters, including agency, private, and interstate adoptions, as well as step-parent and adult adoptions. We represent clients in contested proceedings, emergency legal filings, and appeals, and we work closely with adoption professionals to ensure the process is thorough and legally sound. Whether you need comprehensive legal support from the beginning or focused assistance at a particular stage, we bring decades of experience and deep empathy to your case.

Understanding the Adoption Process

A Birth Mother’s Role

Birth mothers may consider adoption at any point in pregnancy. Early planning allows for greater access to medical support, living expenses, and emotional counseling. A birth mother may choose to work with an agency or select an adoptive family directly. Her role includes carrying the child to term and determining if and when to legally surrender her rights. Permanent surrenders to agencies require a 72-hour waiting period after birth and should never occur without independent legal counsel. Other options include legal custody transfers, consents to adoption, or private arrangements.



Importantly, a birth mother’s decision is not final until her rights are formally relinquished. We ensure birth mothers understand their legal rights, options, and protections — and confirm that their legal fees are typically paid by the adoptive family.

A Birth Father’s Role

A birth father must establish paternity to have legal standing in an adoption. That may involve registering with Ohio’s Putative Father Registry, filing a paternity action, or signing an Acknowledgment of Paternity. Missing these steps may forfeit his rights. We help birth fathers understand their responsibilities and navigate legal documents like permanent surrenders and consents to adoption.

An Adoptive Family’s Role

Adoptive families may need legal counsel at any stage — from evaluating agencies and reviewing risks to finalizing adoption court filings. We prepare all paperwork, represent you in court, and coordinate with agencies. We also advise on high-risk placements and contested proceedings, helping ensure the process is secure and transparent.

A Lawyer’s Role

Under the leadership of Attorney Corinne Hoover, our adoption team is available before, during, and after placement. Corinne is a certified Family Law Specialist, and her team ensures around-the-clock availability — because babies don’t wait for business hours. We serve as lead or supporting counsel based on your needs, always prioritizing accessibility and responsiveness.

Step-Parent Adoptions

Step-parent adoption allows a spouse to adopt their partner’s child. Legal requirements vary depending on the involvement of the biological parent. We help determine whether parental consent is needed and prepare you for the court process, or explore alternatives when adoption isn’t immediately viable.

Adult Adoptions

Adult adoptions are often used for inheritance rights or emotional closure. These adoptions can legally formalize deep, long-term relationships and are often meaningful for aging adults or individuals seeking legal recognition of chosen family.

Same-Sex Adoptions

Legal rights for same-sex adoptive families have advanced, but the law is still evolving. We assist same-sex partners in joint adoptions, step-parent adoptions, and cases involving children conceived before marriage equality. Our team is experienced in navigating these new legal frontiers.

Surrogacy, Assisted Reproduction, and Embryo Adoption

In cases involving intended parenthood through fertility technology, legal rights must be clearly established before birth. We represent clients in surrogacy contracts, embryo adoptions, and assisted reproduction agreements, ensuring all parties have individual legal counsel and valid documentation.

What We Can Do for You

At Hoover Kacyon, LLC, we help adoptive parents, birth parents, and step-parents navigate the adoption process with clarity, care, and legal precision. Whether you’re beginning your adoption journey or finalizing a placement, our attorneys are here to guide you through every legal step.
Here's how we support you:

Prepare and file adoption petitions and legal documentation

We draft and submit the Petition for Adoption, supporting affidavits, consent forms, and all court-required materials, ensuring compliance with Ohio law.

Represent birth parents with compassion and clarity

We help birth mothers and fathers understand their rights, complete permanent surrender agreements, and ensure they are represented before signing any legally binding document.

Coordinate with agencies and guide high-risk or contested adoptions

Our firm works closely with trusted adoption agencies and also handles contested cases, protecting adoptive placements through trial and appellate advocacy when needed.

Finalize adoptions in court with confidence

We represent adoptive families during final hearings, answer judicial inquiries, and ensure your adoption decree is issued smoothly and correctly.

Advise on complex adoption types

We provide clear legal counsel for step-parent, adult, same-sex, and assisted reproduction adoptions, helping you manage the nuances of each with confidence.

When to Call an Adoption Attorney

The best time to call an adoption attorney is at the very start of your journey. Whether you’re beginning to explore adoption, have been matched with a birth parent, or are preparing for finalization, early legal guidance helps prevent mistakes and delays. Birth parents should seek counsel before signing any legal document, and adoptive families benefit from support throughout agency coordination, court filings, or contested situations.


At Hoover Kacyon, LLC, we’re here to advise you clearly, promptly, and with the care your case deserves.

FAQS

  • When should we hire an adoption attorney?

    It’s best to consult an attorney as soon as you’re considering adoption. Early guidance can help you choose the right agency, evaluate legal risks, and protect your rights throughout the process.

  • Do birth parents need their own attorney?

    Yes, and reputable adoption agencies will insist on this. A birth parent should always have independent counsel before signing any document that affects their parental rights. We provide experienced, compassionate representation for birth mothers and fathers.

  • Can a step-parent adopt without the other biological parent's consent?

    Possibly. If the biological parent has not had contact or paid support, the court may allow the adoption to proceed without their consent. We evaluate the facts of your case and advise on your chances of success.

  • What if our adoption becomes contested?

    Contested adoptions can be stressful, but we are experienced in litigating these cases in trial court and, if necessary, on appeal. We protect your rights and the child’s best interests throughout the process.

  • Are same-sex couples allowed to adopt in Ohio?

    Yes. Custody and support orders can be modified if circumstances change. We help file motions, prepare affidavits, and present your case for an updated court order.

  • What if I’ve worked with another attorney before?

    That’s not a problem. We frequently take over or review existing cases. We’ll request your file, assess where things stand, and build a plan to move forward with continuity and care.

Contact Hoover Kacyon, LLC Today

At Hoover Kacyon, LLC, we support clients across Akron, Canton, and Northern Ohio through every step of the adoption process — from agency coordination to court finalization. Whether you're adopting, placing a child for adoption, or exploring your legal options, we’re here to help.


Call us at 330-922-4491 or contact us online to schedule a private consultation with an experienced divorce attorney.

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