There are two types of private adoption: third-party adoption which involves a new family member, or step-parent adoption which involves a step-parent adopting the child of their spouse.

As a guardian, you will have certain legal rights. You can formally represent yourself as the child’s parent at school, in court, in financial matters at a bank, or wherever else need be.

You can also provide protection to the child in the case that a biological parent appears after years of absence. If you establish a formal relationship with the child, a biological parent would not have any legal rights to the child or their lifestyle decisions.

Private adoption can bring a sense of stability to you, your spouse (especially if they are the child’s biological parent) and your family, as the child will be treated as equal with a biological child of your own.

We will be your key contact for the drafting and signing of the paperwork, as well as representing your interests in court. Most of the paperwork will be completed by your lawyer, in order to make this process as smooth as possible for you.

We know this is a sensitive issue for many families. That is the reason each application is done by only one lawyer in strict confidence, and we make sure to accommodate our approach to your unique family circumstances. There is also only one court clerk who reviews adoption applications in Calgary.

As a new parent, you will appear on the child’s birth certificate.

A formal relationship with a child can create a deeper connection and a sense of belonging, even if you already have a stable relationship with a child.