Adoption Provides Hope

Every day I see families being torn apart by separation, divorce, addictions, and abuse. Children suffer long term effects from these situations. I see my job as an attorney to help minimize the negative effects on the children, bring families together when possible, and provide permanent, positive solutions. I find much satisfaction in my practice by being a part of an adoption.

Adoption is a noble call for a family. It provides stability and permanency for a child who often has experienced much turmoil in life at a young age. The family who adopts a child gives hope for a brighter future.

There are several types of adoptions such as agency adoptions (domestic and international), family and step-parent adoptions, and private adoptions.

Agency adoptions involve the use of an organization that matches families with children that are free for adoption. These agencies may be private agencies like Catholic Charities, or government agencies like the Missouri Department of Social Services, Children's Division. The children adopted using an agency may be placed for adoption by parents who feel they cannot care for the child or children removed from the home due to abuse or neglect. Families using agencies usually had no previous contact with the child

Family or step-parent adoptions involve children that already have a connection to the family. Grandparents or other relatives may adopt children when the parents are unable to care the children due to addictions, incarceration, or other circumstances. A step-parent may adopt his or her spouse's child or children when the other biological parent has abandoned the children or otherwise has chosen not to be involved anymore.

A private adoption is when a family finds a child through sources other than an agency or family connection. An example would be when a family knows of a pregnant teenager who does not want to keep the baby after birth. This type of adoption has the most legal risks and is highly scrutinized by the Courts. Some judges will not grant these types of adoptions unless an adoption agency becomes involved. Judges are hesitant to grant private adoptions because of the risk of the biological parents trying to take the children back later or the risk of illegally buying or selling a child. Anyone contemplating a private adoption should seek assistance from a lawyer experienced with these types of adoptions.

The costs of an adoption can vary greatly. Children adopted from government agencies may have no cost to the family; whereas, agencies often charge several thousand dollars.

Like most law firms, Bolander Law Office does not help a family find a child, although we can refer a family to others who do. We make sure all the legal work is done to complete the adoption process and obtain the approval of the Court ultimately providing the child with the opportunity to have the support of a loving family.

Estate Planning: Being Prepared for the Inevitable

No one likes to think about death, but it's a reality we all must face. Even though our death is an unpleasant topic, we must think about the impact it will have on our families and plan accordingly. We must ask ourselves some tough questions like, "Who will care for my children?" "Who will get my house, my life insurance, or retirement account?" or "Will my spouse have enough money to meet monthly expenses?" When these questions go unanswered, the consequences of an untimely death can be disastrous. Having a will or trust can help avoid these consequences.

Most people know that they should have a will or trust, but they put it off calling an estate planning lawyer far too long. What is keeping you from taking this important step? Your family is depending on you.

Once your estate plan is in place, you should have your will or trust reviewed every 5 years or when other significant events happen in your life such as a divorce, a death in the family, a significant change in income, or the birth of a child.

When you do call and visit an attorney, you should expect the process to be handled professionally and confidentially. You will need to provide the names, addresses, and birthdates of your family members and a list of assets with approximate values. Be prepared to discuss who you want your assets to go to and who should manage those assets in the meantime. It's also a good idea to have an alternate plan if the first should fail.

After gathering all the information, the lawyer will make a recommendation as to what documents fit your unique situation.

Nearly everyone needs a will. A will is the only legal way to name who you want to take care of your children.

Trusts are useful not only for people with a lot of money, but for families with children still at home. They provide a central place to manage the money and make sure the children's needs are being met.

A lawyer can also prepare a Health Care Directive, sometimes called a living will, to express your desires regarding medical decisions.

A Durable Power of Attorney can be drafted to determine who will make financial decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated and unable to do so.

Don't put it off. Get your estate plan in place right away.

Bolander Law Office

The focus of my practice is helping families and children facing life's difficulties. It may be a divorce, a custody dispute, or a death in the family. I want to have a positive influence on those involved, especially the children. I strive to deliver legal services with skill, integrity, and dedication.