Same-Sex Adoption in Florida

Florida has made strides in recent years to help same-sex couples grow their families. If you are looking to adopt, Bryan McLachlan can guide you through the legal processes of adopting as a same-sex couple, so contact him any time at (727) 398-0086.

First, let’s look at the history of gay adoption in Florida.

Is Gay Adoption Legal in Florida?

As the result of a long and continuing battle for equal rights, gay adoption in Florida is more possible now than ever before. Prior to 2010, gay adoption was explicitly illegal in Florida, but the Florida Court of Appeals declared the ban unconstitutional.

Still, Florida statutes indirectly barred same-sex couples from adopting jointly. The law stated that any individual could adopt alone and that any married couple could adopt jointly. Because gay couples could not legally marry, they also could not adopt as a couple.

In these cases, one parent could pursue adoption and be the legal parent of the child, and the second parent would raise the child without having legal custody. These kinds of situations were not ideal, as the second parent would have no rights to the child in the eyes of the law. During this time, many couples were still able to successfully grow their families through second-parent or step-parent adoptions.

Fortunately, as gay couples have won the right to marry, the right to adopt has quickly followed suit. Today, the laws surrounding same-sex adoption are in a constant state of change, heading in a direction of progress. Not only has the constitutional ban on same-sex adoption been lifted, but more and more agencies are opening their doors to help hopeful parents like you grow their families.

Bryan McLachlan’s Adoption Services

Whether you are just beginning your journey or you need to take the final steps and legally complete your adoption, Bryan McLachlan can help make sure your Florida adoption is a success. Call Bryan today at (727) 398-0086 for help completing your family.