Oklahoma City Adoption Attorney

The Oklahoma adoption timeline varies based on adoption type, ranging from 3-6 months for straightforward stepparent cases to 12-18 months for agency or interstate placements. Key factors affecting duration include birth parent cooperation, completion of required home studies (typically 60-90 days), and court scheduling availability.

Most adoptions require a minimum 90-day post-placement period before finalization, while interstate adoptions involve additional ICPC processing time (2-8 weeks). Working with experienced adoption attorneys like Lily Debrah Cruickshank & Associates significantly reduces unnecessary delays by ensuring proper documentation and procedural compliance from the start.

Oklahoma law provides birth parents with limited revocation rights following adoption consent. After signing proper consent documents, birth parents have 30 days or until the final adoption decree (whichever comes first) to revoke consent through formal written notice.

However, consent becomes irrevocable immediately if signed before a judge, and revocation must be based on fraud or duress to be considered after the statutory period. Our attorneys ensure all consents meet strict legal requirements while providing appropriate counseling referrals for birth parents, reducing the likelihood of contested adoptions while protecting the interests of all parties.

Oklahoma adoption law identifies several factors that may prevent prospective parents from adopting, primarily focusing on child safety and welfare concerns:

1. Felony convictions involving child abuse, domestic violence, or violent crimes within the past five years typically create absolute barriers to adoption approval.
2. Substantiated child welfare investigations or prior termination of parental rights generally disqualify applicants unless exceptional rehabilitation can be demonstrated.
3. Recent substance abuse issues (within 12-24 months) often prevent adoption approval until sustained recovery and significant sobriety time can be established.
4. Severe financial instability, including bankruptcy within the past year or inability to meet basic household expenses, may temporarily disqualify candidates.
5. Significant health conditions substantially limiting life expectancy or caregiving ability can prevent adoption approval without substantial support systems in place.
6. Failure to disclose relevant background information or providing false statements during the home study process automatically disqualifies applicants in most circumstances.